COGENTRIX ENERGY INC
10-Q, 1999-11-15
ELECTRIC SERVICES
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<PAGE>   1

                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1999

                        Commission File Number: 33-74254

                             COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        NORTH CAROLINA                                          56-1853081
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification Number)

9405 ARROWPOINT BOULEVARD, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA               28273-8110
     (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zipcode)

                                 (704) 525-3800
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No



On November 15, 1999, there were 282,000 shares of common stock, no par value,
issued and outstanding.

<PAGE>   2

                             COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE NO.
                                                                                        --------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements:

         Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1999 (Unaudited)
            and December 31, 1998                                                            3

         Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three-Months and Nine-Months
            Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (Unaudited)                                    4

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine-Months
            Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (Unaudited)                                    5

         Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)                    6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
            and Results of Operations                                                        9

PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                                                  15

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                   16

Signatures                                                                                  18
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                 COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                    SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND DECEMBER 31, 1998
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                   1999            1998
                                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                                (Unaudited)      (Audited)
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>
                                 ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                     $   46,562      $   48,207
  Restricted cash                                                                   53,227          40,604
  Accounts receivable                                                               70,870          66,586
  Inventories                                                                       19,794          18,697
  Other current assets                                                               4,690           4,061
                                                                                ----------      ----------
    Total current assets                                                           195,143         178,155

NET INVESTMENT IN LEASES                                                           499,786         498,614

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated
  depreciation:  September 30, 1999, $253,958; December 31, 1998, $225,928         445,289         473,065

LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS                                                                4,800           3,981

DEFERRED FINANCING AND ORGANIZATION COSTS,
  net of accumulated amortization:  September 30, 1999, $18,612;
  December 31, 1998, $15,557                                                        34,318          37,007

NATURAL GAS RESERVES                                                                   934           1,557

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES                                           326,937         251,312

OTHER ASSETS                                                                        74,434          56,160
                                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                                $1,581,641      $1,499,851
                                                                                ==========      ==========
                  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt                                             $   89,360      $   86,255
  Accounts payable                                                                  30,326          25,511
  Accrued compensation                                                               6,254           8,096
  Accrued interest payable                                                          18,293           7,729
  Accrued dividends payable                                                           --             7,398
  Other accrued liabilities                                                         20,838          13,492
                                                                                ----------      ----------
    Total current liabilities                                                      165,071         148,481

LONG-TERM DEBT                                                                   1,140,458       1,127,184

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                               58,540          52,306

MINORITY INTERESTS                                                                  68,700          61,167

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES                                                         25,182          22,850
                                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                                $1,457,951      $1,411,988
                                                                                ----------      ----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock, no par value, 300,000 shares authorized;
    282,000 shares issued and outstanding                                              130             130
  Accumulated earnings                                                             123,560          87,733
                                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                                   123,690          87,863
                                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                                $1,581,641      $1,499,851
                                                                                ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements are an
integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.



                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                 COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
     For the Three-Months and Nine-Months Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998
    (Unaudited) (dollars in thousands, except for earnings per common share)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           THREE-MONTHS ENDED               NINE-MONTHS ENDED
                                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,                    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                        -------------------------       -------------------------
                                                                          1999            1998            1999             1998
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>

OPERATING REVENUE:
  Electric                                                              $  88,405       $  84,832       $ 233,771       $ 231,200
  Steam                                                                     5,869           5,620          18,780          19,325
  Lease                                                                    11,178          11,134          33,509          23,567
  Service revenue under capital leases                                     12,089          12,703          34,983          25,955
  Income from unconsolidated investments in power projects                  5,570             829          16,302           2,626
  Other                                                                     4,359           7,554          12,462          14,855
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
                                                                          127,470         122,672         349,807         317,528
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Fuel                                                                     25,855          23,576          61,318          62,500
  Operations and maintenance                                               17,156          17,309          51,375          49,581
  Cost of services under capital leases                                    12,617          14,019          38,797          29,358
  General, administrative and development                                   8,214           8,613          29,044          27,765
  Depreciation and amortization                                            10,863          10,308          32,639          30,923
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
                                                                           74,705          73,825         213,173         200,127
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
OPERATING INCOME                                                           52,765          48,847         136,634         117,401

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest expense                                                        (24,158)        (19,726)        (71,465)        (52,811)
  Investment and other income, net                                          1,887           1,304           4,907           5,169
  Equity in net loss of affiliates, net                                       (60)         (3,157)           (166)         (3,242)
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------

INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS IN INCOME,
  INCOME TAXES AND EXTRAORDINARY LOSS                                      30,434          27,268          69,910          66,517

MINORITY INTERESTS IN INCOME BEFORE
  EXTRAORDINARY LOSS                                                       (4,393)         (4,187)        (10,875)         (9,800)
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
  EXTRAORDINARY LOSS                                                       26,041          23,081          59,035          56,717

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                                                 (9,949)         (8,832)        (23,208)        (22,237)
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------

INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS                                           16,092          14,249          35,827          34,480

EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT
  OF DEBT, net of minority interest and income tax benefit of $473           --              --              --              (743)
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------

NET INCOME                                                              $  16,092       $  14,249       $  35,827       $  33,737
                                                                        =========       =========       =========       =========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
  Income before extraordinary loss                                      $   57.06       $   50.53       $  127.05       $  122.27
  Extraordinary loss                                                         --              --              --             (2.63)
                                                                        ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
                                                                        $   57.06       $   50.53       $  127.05       $  119.64
                                                                        =========       =========       =========       =========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING                                282,000         282,000         282,000         282,000
                                                                        =========       =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements are an
integral part of these consolidated statements.



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

                 COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
        FOR THE NINE-MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND 1998 (UNAUDITED)
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NINE-MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                           ---------------------------
                                                                              1999              1998
                                                                           ---------         ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>               <C>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                                               $  35,827         $  33,737
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                             32,639            30,923
    Deferred income taxes                                                      6,234            10,996
    Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt                          --               2,067
    Minority interests in income, net of dividends                             7,345           (14,933)
    (Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated power projects          (15,911)              390
    Distributions from unconsolidated power projects                          16,784             6,842
    Minimum lease payments received                                           32,337            22,242
    Amortization of unearned lease income                                    (33,509)          (23,567)
    Increase in accounts receivable                                           (4,284)           (6,410)
    Increase in inventories                                                     (474)           (2,392)
    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                                    4,815            (3,479)
    Increase in accrued liabilities                                           16,068             5,213
    Increase in other                                                        (17,197)           (6,350)
                                                                           ---------         ---------
       Net cash flows provided by operating activities                        80,674            55,279
                                                                           ---------         ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Property, plant and equipment additions                                   (1,538)           (4,510)
    Decrease in marketable securities                                           --              42,118
    Investments in affiliates                                                (76,498)           (1,000)
    Acquisition of facilities, net of cash acquired                             --            (155,324)
    Decrease (increase) in restricted cash                                   (12,623)            9,868
                                                                           ---------         ---------
       Net cash flows used in investing activities                           (90,659)         (108,848)
                                                                           ---------         ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Dividends paid                                                            (7,398)           (2,140)
    Proceeds from issuance of debt                                            86,280           170,900
    Repayments of debt                                                       (69,768)         (155,673)
    Increase in deferred financing costs                                        (774)           (1,713)
                                                                           ---------         ---------
       Net cash flows provided by financing activities                         8,340            11,374
                                                                           ---------         ---------

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                     (1,645)          (42,195)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period                                48,207            71,833
                                                                           ---------         ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period                                   $  46,562         $  29,638
                                                                           =========         =========
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements are an
integral part of these consolidated statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                 COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                    UNAUDITED

1.       PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements include
the accounts of Cogentrix Energy, Inc. ("Cogentrix Energy") and its subsidiary
companies (collectively, the "Company"). Wholly-owned and majority-owned
subsidiaries, including a 50%-owned joint venture in which the Company has
effective control through majority representation on the board of directors of
the managing general partner, are consolidated. Less-than-majority-owned
subsidiaries, and subsidiaries for which control is deemed to be temporary, are
accounted for using the equity method. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
in which the Company has less than a 20% interest and does not exercise
significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for
under the cost method. All material intercompany transactions and balances among
Cogentrix Energy, its subsidiary companies and its consolidated joint ventures
have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial
statements.

         Information presented as of September 30, 1999 and for the three-months
and nine-months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 is unaudited. In the opinion
of management, however, such information reflects all adjustments, which consist
of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial
position of the Company as of September 30, 1999, and the results of operations
for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 and
cash flows for the nine-months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. The results of
operations for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results
which may be expected for any other interim period or for the fiscal year as a
whole.

         The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements
have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Certain information and
note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or
omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although management believes
that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not
misleading. These unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements should
be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and
the notes thereto included in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1998, which the Company filed with the Commission on
March 31, 1999.

         Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's financial
statements to conform with the classification used in the financial statements
as of September 30, 1999, and for the three-months and nine-months ended
September 30, 1999.

2.       COGENTRIX OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.

         In January, 1998, the Company signed an agreement with Pennsylvania
Electric Company ("Penelec") to terminate the Ringgold facility's power purchase
agreement. This termination agreement was the result of a request for proposals
to buy-back or restructure power sales agreements issued to all major operating
independent power producer projects in Penelec's territory in April, 1997. The
termination agreement provides for a payment to the Company of approximately
$21.0 million, which will be sufficient to retire all of Cogentrix of
Pennsylvania, Inc.'s ("CPA") outstanding project debt. The buy back of the power
purchase agreement is subject to the issuance of a non-appealable, final order
by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission granting Penelec the authority to
fully recover from its customers the consideration paid to CPA under the buyout
agreement. The original agreement expired in December, 1998 and was extended
through June, 1999. The Company further extended the agreement through December,
1999. Management does not expect this event, if it occurs, to have an adverse
impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, cash flows or
financial position.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7

3.       ACQUISITIONS

         Whitewater and Cottage Grove Acquisition

         In March, 1998, the Company acquired from LS Power Corporation (the "LS
Acquisition") an approximate 74% ownership interest in two partnerships which
own and operate electric generating facilities located in Whitewater, Wisconsin
and Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Each of the Cottage Grove and Whitewater
facilities is a 245-megawatt gas-fired, combined-cycle cogeneration facility.
Commercial operations of both of these facilities commenced in the last half of
calendar 1997. The Cottage Grove facility sells capacity and energy to Northern
States Power Company under a 30-year power sales contract terminating in 2027.
The Whitewater facility sells capacity and energy to Wisconsin Electric Power
Company under a 25-year power sales contract terminating in 2022. Each of the
power sales contracts has characteristics similar to a lease in that the
agreement gives the purchasing utility the right to use specific property, plant
and equipment. As such, each of the power sales contracts is accounted for as a
"sales-type" capital lease in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 13, "Accounting for Leases."

         The Company accounted for the LS Acquisition using the purchase method
of accounting. The accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets as of
September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 reflect 100% of the assets and
liabilities of the partnerships acquired. The minority owner's share of the
partnerships' net assets is included in "minority interests" on the accompanying
consolidated condensed balance sheets as of September 30, 1999 and December 31,
1998. The accompanying consolidated statement of income for the nine-months
ended September 30, 1998 includes the results of operations of the acquired
facilities since the closing date of the LS Acquisition on March 20, 1998. The
accompanying consolidated statement of income for the nine-months ended
September 30, 1999 includes the results of operations of the acquired facilities
for nine months.

         Batesville Acquisition

         In August, 1998, the Company acquired an approximate 53% interest in an
800-megawatt, gas-fired electric generating facility under construction in
Batesville, Mississippi (the "Batesville Acquisition"). The Company has
committed to provide an equity contribution to the project subsidiary of
approximately $54 million upon the earliest to occur of (i) the incurrence of
construction costs after all project financing has been expended, (ii) an event
of default under the project subsidiary's financing arrangements or (iii) June
30, 2001. This equity commitment is supported by a $54 million letter of credit
provided under the Company's corporate credit facility. The Company expects the
Batesville facility, which will be operated by the Company, to commence
commercial operation in June, 2000. Electricity generated by the Batesville
facility will be sold under long-term power purchase agreements with two
investment-grade utilities. The Company accounts for its interest in the
Batesville facility using the equity method, as its 53% ownership is deemed to
be temporary.

         Bechtel Asset Acquisition

         In October, 1998, the Company acquired from Bechtel Generating Company,
Inc. ("BGCI") ownership interests in twelve electric generating facilities,
comprising a net equity interest of approximately 365 megawatts, and one
interstate natural gas pipeline in the United States (the "Bechtel
Acquisition").

         The Bechtel Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, which resulted in the recognition of a net purchase premium of
approximately $66.5 million. The purchase premiums or discounts related to the
Bechtel Acquisition are being amortized over the remaining lives of the
facilities or over the remaining terms of the power purchase agreements. The
Company is using the equity method of accounting to account for its ownership
interests in eight of these twelve facilities and the cost method to account for
its ownership interests in the other four.

         On June 4, 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase an
additional 40% interest in the Indiantown facility, one of the twelve electric
generating facilities included in the Bechtel Acquisition. The agreement calls
for the purchase to be made during 1999 in three phases, the first of which, the
purchase of a 19.9% interest, occurred on June 4, 1999. The second phase, a
purchase of an additional 20% interest occurred on September 20, 1999. The first
and second phases of the acquisition were accounted for as a purchase and
resulted in a total premium of approximately $37.9 million that will be
amortized over the remaining life of the facility. The remaining phase,
comprising a 0.1% interest, will be completed during the fourth quarter of 1999.
The Company



                                       7
<PAGE>   8

will account for the acquisition of the additional interest as a purchase, and
will use the equity method of accounting to account for its entire ownership in
the Indiantown facility.

4.       COGENTRIX EASTERN AMERICA REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

         Cogentrix Eastern America (CEA), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Cogentrix Energy, has entered into a $75 million, three-year revolving credit
facility. CEA is a special purpose holding company formed to hold Cogentrix
Energy's ownership interests in the twelve electric generating facilities
acquired in the Bechtel Acquisition. The commitment under the credit facility
reduces to $67.5 million after one year and $60 million after two-years. This
credit facility will be used to finance a portion of the purchase price for the
additional ownership interest in the Indiantown facility acquired in 1999.

5.       PENDING CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

         One of Cogentrix Energy's indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries is party
to certain product liability claims related to the sale of coal combustion
by-products for use in various construction projects. Management cannot
currently estimate the range of possible loss, if any, the subsidiary will
ultimately bear as a result of these claims. However, our management believes -
based on its knowledge of the facts and legal theories applicable to these
claims and after consultations with various counsel retained to represent this
subsidiary in defense of such claims - that the ultimate resolution of these
claims should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated
financial position or results of operations or Cogentrix Energy's ability to
generate sufficient cash flow to service its outstanding debt.

         In addition, the Company experiences other routine litigation in the
normal course of its business. The Company's management is of the opinion that
none of this routine litigation should have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

6.       NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

         In June, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS No.
133"). SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring
that every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts) be recorded on the balance sheets as either an
asset or liability measured at its fair value. SFAS No. 133 requires that
changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized in current earnings unless
specified hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying
hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the
hedged item on the income statement and requires that a company formally
document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that hedge
accounting.

         In June, 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB
Statement No. 133" delaying the effectiveness of SFAS No. 133 to fiscal quarters
of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000.

         The Company has not yet quantified the impacts of SFAS No. 133 on its
consolidated financial statements and has not yet determined the timing or
method of adoption of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 133 could, however, increase
volatility in earnings.



                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         The information called for by this item is hereby incorporated herein
by reference to pages 3 through 8 of this report.

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS.

         In addition to discussing and analyzing our recent historical financial
results and condition, the following "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" includes statements concerning
certain trends and other forward-looking information affecting or relating to us
which are intended to qualify for the protections afforded "Forward-Looking
Statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Public
Law 104-67. The forward-looking statements made herein are inherently subject to
risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements.

GENERAL

         Cogentrix Energy is an independent power producer that, through its
direct and indirect subsidiaries, acquires, develops, owns and operates electric
generating plants, principally in the United States. We derive most of our
revenue from the sale of electricity, but we also produce and sell steam. We
sell the electricity we generate, principally under long-term power purchase
agreements, to regulated electric utilities. We sell the steam we produce to
industrial customers with manufacturing or other facilities located near our
electric generating plants. We were one of the early participants in the market
for electric power generated by independent power producers that developed as a
result of energy legislation the United States Congress enacted in 1978. We
believe we are one of the largest independent power producers in the United
States based on our total project megawatts in operation.

         We currently own - entirely or in part - a total of 25 electric
generating plants in the United States. Our 25 plants are designed to operate at
a total production capability of approximately 4,000 megawatts. After taking
into account our part interests in the 16 plants that are not wholly-owned by
us, which range from 3.3% to approximately 74.0%, our net equity interest in the
total production capability of our 25 electric generating plants is
approximately 1,842 megawatts. We currently operate 12 of our plants, 10 of
which we developed and constructed.

         When our plant under construction in Batesville, Mississippi begins
operation, we will have ownership interests in a total of 26 domestic electric
generating plants that are designed with a total production capability of 4,800
megawatts. Our net equity interest in the total production capability of those
26 facilities will be approximately 2,262 megawatts.

         Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to
"we", "us", "our", or "Cogentrix", refer to Cogentrix Energy, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, including subsidiaries that hold investments in other corporations
or partnerships whose financial results are not consolidated with us. The term
"Cogentrix Energy" refers only to Cogentrix Energy, Inc., which is a development
and management company that conducts its business primarily through
subsidiaries. Cogentrix Energy's subsidiaries that are engaged in the
development, ownership or operation of cogeneration facilities are sometimes
referred to individually as a "project subsidiary" and collectively as "project
subsidiaries".


                                       9
<PAGE>   10

Results of Operations - Three-Months and Nine-Months Ended September 30, 1999
and 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Three-Months Ended September 30,                Nine-Months Ended September 30,
                                  -------------------------------------------     -------------------------------------------
                                          1999                   1998                    1999                    1998
                                  -------------------     -------------------     -------------------     -------------------
                                        (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)              (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

<S>                               <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>
Total operating revenues          $127,470       100%     $122,672       100%     $349,807       100%     $317,528       100%
Operating costs                     55,628        44        54,904        45       151,490        43       141,439        44
General, administrative
       and development               8,214         6         8,613         7        29,044         8        27,765         9
Depreciation and amortization       10,863         9        10,308         8        32,639        10        30,923        10
                                  --------     -----      --------     -----      --------     -----      --------     -----

Operating income                  $ 52,765        41%     $ 48,847        40%     $136,634        39%     $117,401        37%
                                  ========     =====      ========     =====      ========     =====      ========     =====
</TABLE>

         Total operating revenues increased 3.9% to $127.5 million for the third
quarter of 1999 as compared to the third quarter of 1998. This increase was
primarily attributable to $4.7 million in earnings in the third quarter of 1999
from the power projects acquired in the Bechtel Acquisition in October, 1998. To
a lesser extent, operating revenues were impacted by an increase in electric
revenue from the Richmond, Hopewell, and Portsmouth facilities related to an
increase in megawatt hours sold to the purchasing utility and an increase in
capacity revenue at the Southport and Roxboro facilities related to the
declaration of electric capacity.

         Our operating revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30,
1999, which increased 10.2% to $349.8 million as compared to $317.5 million for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, were largely influenced by some
of the same factors discussed above: the Bechtel Acquisition, the increase in
electric revenue at the Richmond and Portsmouth facilities and the increase in
capacity revenue at the Southport and Roxboro facilities. The increase in
operating revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 was also
attributable to an increase in lease and service revenue earned under the power
sales agreements for the Cottage Grove and Whitewater facilities in which we
acquired our interests on March 20, 1998. The increase in operating revenues was
partially offset by a decrease in electric revenue at the Lumberton and
Kenansville facilities related to a decrease in megawatt hours sold to the
purchasing utility and a decrease in capacity revenue related to the declaration
of electric capacity.

         Our operating costs increased 1.3% to $55.6 million for the third
quarter of 1999 as compared to the third quarter of 1998. This increase resulted
primarily from the increase in fuel expense as a result of an increase in
megawatt hours sold to the purchasing utilities at the Richmond, Hopewell and
Portsmouth facilities. The increase in operating costs was partially offset by a
decrease in fuel expense at the Rocky Mount facility related to a decrease in
megawatt hours sold to the purchasing utility for the three-month period ended
September 30, 1999.

         Our operating costs for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999,
increased 7.1% to $151.5 million as compared to $141.4 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1998. This increase was primarily the
result of a significant increase in the costs of services incurred at the
Cottage Grove and Whitewater facilities. We also had an increase in routine
maintenance expenses at the Hopewell and Ringgold facilities, an increase in
operating expenses at ReUse Technology, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Cogentrix Energy and an increase in fuel expense as a result of an increase in
megawatt hours sold to the purchasing utilities at the Richmond and Portsmouth
facilities. The increase in operating expenses was partially offset by a
decrease in operating costs incurred at the Richmond facility related to routine
maintenance performed during the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, a
decrease in fuel expense at the Southport facility related to



                                       10
<PAGE>   11

reduced steam demand from the steam host and a decrease in fuel expense as a
result of a decrease in the megawatt hours sold to the purchasing utility at the
Rocky Mount facility.

         General, administrative and development expense decreased 4.6% to $8.2
million for the third quarter of 1999 as compared to the third quarter of 1998.
This decrease related primarily to a decrease in travel and other development
expenses related to international development activity. The decrease is also the
result of capitalizing costs related to several projects in active development
in the third quarter of 1999, as compared to expensing all development costs in
the third quarter of 1998. These decreases were partially offset by increases in
information system consulting costs. General, administrative and development
expenses increased 4.6% to $29.0 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999 as compared to the corresponding period of 1998. The increase
for the nine-month period is primarily attributable to increased costs related
to payroll and employee benefits and also to an increase in information system
consulting costs. The increase in general, administrative and development
expenses was partially offset by the factors discussed above: a decrease in
travel and other project development expenses related to a reduction in
international development activity, and the capitalization of costs related to
several projects in active development.

         Interest expense increased 22.5% to $24.2 million for the quarter ended
September 30, 1999 and 35.3% to $71.5 million for the nine-months ended
September 30, 1999 as compared to the corresponding periods of 1998. Our
weighted average long-term debt increased to $1.2 billion, with a weighted
average interest rate of 7.8% through the third quarter of 1999, as compared to
weighted average long-term debt of $968 million, with a weighted average
interest rate of 7.27% through the third quarter of 1998. The increases in
interest expense and weighted average debt outstanding were related to the
inclusion of the project finance debt of the Cottage Grove and Whitewater
facilities acquired in March, 1998. The increases also relate to our issuance of
$255 million of 8.75% senior notes during the fourth quarter of 1998, and
borrowings incurred during the first nine months of 1999 under revolving credit
facilities at some subsidiaries. The increase in interest expense was partially
offset by a decrease in interest expense at several of our project subsidiaries
resulting from the scheduled repayment of outstanding project finance debt.

         The increase in minority interest in income for the third quarter of
1999 as compared to the third quarter of 1998 related primarily to an increase
in earnings at the Cottage Grove and Whitewater facilities related to a decrease
in operating costs at the Cottage Grove facility due to a decrease in fuel
costs, and an increase in the variable energy rate charged to the purchasing
utility at the Whitewater facility. The increase in minority interest in income
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 as compared to the
corresponding period of 1998 related to an increase in earnings associated with
the Cottage Grove and Whitewater facilities, interests in which we acquired on
March 20, 1998. The results of operations for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999 include a full nine months of earnings for the Cottage Grove
and Whitewater facilities, as compared to less than seven months for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1998.

         The extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt for 1998 related
to the refinancing of the Hopewell facility's project debt in February, 1998.
The loss consisted of a write-off of the deferred financing costs on the
Hopewell facility's original project debt and a swap termination fee on an
interest rate swap agreement hedging the original project debt.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The principal components of operating cash flow for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1999 were net income of $35.8 million, increases due
to adjustments for depreciation and amortization of $32.6 million, deferred
income taxes of $6.2 million, minority interest in income, net of dividends, of
$7.3 million, and equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of
dividends of $0.9 million, which were partially offset by amortization of
unearned lease income, net of minimum lease payments received, of $1.1 million
and a net $1.0 million use of cash reflecting changes in other working capital
assets and liabilities. Cash flow provided by operating activities of $80.7
million, proceeds from borrowings of $86.3 million and cash on hand at the
beginning of the period of $1.6 million were primarily used to purchase
property, plant and equipment of $1.5 million, repay project finance borrowings
of $69.8 million, pay financing costs of $0.8 million, pay a common stock
dividend of $7.4 million, fund $12.6 million of escrow, and purchase additional
interests in unconsolidated affiliates of $76.5 million.



                                       11
<PAGE>   12

         Historically, we have financed each facility primarily under financing
arrangements and related documents, which generally require the extensions of
credit to be repaid solely from the project's revenues and provide that the
repayment of the extensions of credit, and interest thereon, is secured solely
by the physical assets, agreements, cash flow and, in some cases, the capital
stock of or the partnership interest in that project subsidiary. This type of
financing is generally referred to as "project financing". The project financing
debt of our subsidiaries and joint ventures, aggregating $830.4 million as of
September 30, 1999, is non-recourse to Cogentrix Energy and our other project
subsidiaries, except in connection with transactions in which Cogentrix Energy
has agreed to certain limited guarantees and other obligations with respect to
such projects. These limited guarantees and other obligations include agreements
for the benefit of the project lenders to three project subsidiaries to fund
cash deficits that the projects may experience as a result of incurring some
types of costs, subject to an aggregate cap of $51.9 million.

         In addition, Cogentrix, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of
Cogentrix Energy, has guaranteed two project subsidiaries' obligations to the
purchasing utility under five power sales agreements. Three of these power sales
agreements provide that, in the event of early termination that is not for
cause, the project subsidiary must pay the utility a termination charge equal to
the excess paid for capacity and energy over what would have been paid to the
utility under the utility's published five-year capacity credit and variable
energy rates plus interest. The remaining two power sales agreements provide
that, in the event of early termination, the project subsidiary must pay the
utility the cost of replacing the electricity from a third party for the
remainder of the agreement's term. Because these project subsidiaries'
obligations do not by their terms stipulate a maximum dollar amount of
liability, the aggregate amount of potential exposure under these guarantees
cannot be quantified. If we or our subsidiary were required to satisfy all of
these guarantees and other obligations or even one or more of the significant
ones, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation,
financial position or cash flows.

         Any projects we develop in the future, and those independent power
projects we may seek to acquire, are likely to require substantial capital
investment. Our ability to arrange financing on a substantially non-recourse
basis and the cost of such capital are dependent on numerous factors. In order
to access capital on a substantially non-recourse basis in the future, we may
have to make larger equity investments in, or provide more financial support
for, the project entity.

         The ability of our project subsidiaries and the project entities in
which we have an investment to pay dividends and management fees periodically to
Cogentrix Energy is subject to limitations in their project credit documents.
These limitations generally require that: (a) project debt service payments be
current, (b) project debt service coverage ratios be met, (c) all project debt
service and other reserve accounts be funded at required levels and (d) there be
no default or event of default under the relevant project credit documents.
There are also additional limitations that are adapted to the particular
characteristics of each project subsidiary and project entities in which we have
an investment.

         As of September 30, 1999, we had long-term debt, including the current
portion thereof, of approximately $1.2 billion. With the exception of the $355
million of senior notes currently outstanding, substantially all of our
indebtedness is project financing debt, a large portion of which is non-recourse
to Cogentrix Energy. Future annual maturities of long-term debt range from $54.7
to $90.0 million in the five-year period ending December 31, 2003. We believe
that our project subsidiaries and the project entities in which we have an
investment will generate sufficient cash flow to pay all required debt service
on the project financing debt and to allow them to pay management fees and
dividends to Cogentrix Energy periodically in sufficient amounts to allow
Cogentrix Energy to pay all required debt service on outstanding balances under
its corporate credit facility and the senior notes, to fund a significant
portion of its development activities and to meet its other obligations. If, as
a result of unanticipated events, our ability to generate cash from operating
activities is significantly impaired, we could be required to curtail our
development activities to meet our debt service obligations.

         We have a corporate credit facility with an existing term through
October 2002, that provides direct advances to us, or the issuance of letters of
credit for our benefit, in an amount up to $125 million. The corporate credit
facility is unsecured and imposes covenants on us substantially the same as the
covenants contained in the indentures, under which we issued our outstanding
senior notes due 2004 and 2008, as well as financial condition covenants. We
have used approximately $60 million of the credit availability under the
corporate credit facility for letters of credit issued in connection with the
Bechtel Acquisition and the Batesville Acquisition. The balance of the
commitment under the corporate credit facility is available, subject to any
limitations imposed by the covenants



                                       12
<PAGE>   13

contained therein and in the indentures, under which we issued our outstanding
senior notes due 2004 and 2008, to be drawn upon by us to repay other
outstanding indebtedness or for general corporate purposes, including equity
investments in new projects or acquisitions of existing electric generating
facilities or those under development.

         In September 1999, Cogentrix Eastern America, Inc., our subsidiary
formed to hold our interests in the twelve electric generating facilities we
acquired in the Bechtel Acquisition, entered into its own $75 million, three-
year revolving credit facility. The commitment under this facility reduces to
$67.5 million after one-year and to $60 million after two years. With the
closing of this credit facility, our subsidiaries now maintain revolving credit
facilities, which are non-recourse to Cogentrix Energy, with aggregate
commitments of $143.7 million. As of September 30, 1999, we had $57.2 million
available under these facilities.

         As a result of a March, 1999 arbitration award related to a contract
dispute with a coal supplier, we were obligated to pay the coal supplier
approximately $8 million in 1999. We made this payment from cash on hand in the
third quarter of 1999. Approximately $3 million of this award was related to the
reduction in purchase quantities for prior periods and approximately $5 million
was related to the reduction in purchase quantities from the date of the award
through the balance of the term of the coal contract, which ends in September,
2001. The future reduction in purchase quantities provides a future economic
benefit to our project subsidiary.

         In June, 1999, we entered into an agreement to purchase an additional
40% ownership interest in the Indiantown cogeneration facility in a three-phase
transaction. We paid $39.8 million to acquire a 19.9% interest in the facility
in June, 1999 and $36.6 million to acquire a 20% interest in the facility in
September, 1999. We funded the purchase of these interests with proceeds from
revolving credit facilities. The acquisition of an additional 0.1% interest in
the Indiantown facility is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of
1999.

         We have entered into commitments with a turbine supplier to purchase a
specified number of turbines with specified delivery dates. We have made $8.6
million in non-refundable deposits related to these commitments through
September 30, 1999. We expect to make additional progress payments of $19.3
million in 1999 prior to closing the financing for the projects that will use
the turbines.

         For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, our board of directors
declared a dividend on our outstanding common stock of $7.4 million which was
paid in March, 1999. The board of directors' policy, which is subject to change
at any time, provides for a dividend payout ratio of no more than 20% of our net
income for the immediately preceding fiscal year. In addition, under the terms
of the indentures for our outstanding senior notes due 2004 and 2008 and the
corporate credit facility, our ability to pay dividends and make other
distributions to our shareholders is restricted.

IMPACT OF ENERGY PRICE CHANGES, INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION

         Energy prices are influenced by changes in supply and demand, as well
as general economic conditions, and therefore tend to fluctuate significantly.
Through various hedging mechanisms, we have attempted to mitigate the impact of
changes on the results of operations of most of our projects. The basic hedging
mechanism against increased fuel and transportation costs is to provide
contractually for matching increases in the energy payments our project
subsidiaries receive from the utility purchasing the electricity generated by
the facility.

         Under the power sales agreements for certain of our facilities, energy
payments are indexed, subject to certain caps, to reflect the purchasing
utility's solid fuel cost of producing electricity or provide periodic,
scheduled increases in energy prices that are designed to match periodic,
scheduled increases in fuel and transportation costs that are included in the
fuel supply and transportation contracts for the facilities.

         Changes in interest rates could have a significant impact on us.
Interest rate changes affect the cost of capital needed to construct projects as
well as interest expense of existing project financing debt. As with fuel price
escalation risk, we attempt to hedge against the risk of fluctuations in
interest rates by arranging either fixed-rate financing or variable-rate
financing with interest rate swaps, collars or caps on a portion of our
indebtedness.

         Although hedged to a significant extent, our financial results will
likely be affected to some degree by fluctuations in energy prices, interest
rates and inflation. The effectiveness of the hedging techniques implemented



                                       13
<PAGE>   14

by us is dependent, in part, on each counterparty's ability to perform in
accordance with the provisions of the relevant contracts. We have sought to
reduce the risk by entering into contracts with creditworthy organizations.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

         We routinely enter into derivative financial instruments and other
financial instruments to hedge our risk against interest rate fluctuations. As
of September 30, 1999, there have been no significant changes in the portfolio
of instruments as disclosed in our report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998 filed with the Commission on March 31, 1999.

OTHER FINANCIAL RATIO DATA

         Set forth below are other financial data and ratios for the periods
indicated (in thousands, except ratio data):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Nine-Months Ended       Last Twelve-Months Ended
                                                     September 30, 1999          September 30, 1999
                                                  ------------------------       ------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                         <C>
              Parent EBITDA                              $ 60,272                    $ 78,982
              Parent Fixed Charges                       $ 24,426                    $ 31,256
              Parent EBITDA/Parent Fixed Charges             2.47                        2.53
</TABLE>

         Parent EBITDA represents cash flow to Cogentrix Energy prior to debt
service and income taxes of Cogentrix Energy. Parent Fixed Charges include cash
payments made by Cogentrix Energy related to outstanding indebtedness of
Cogentrix Energy and the cost of funds associated with Cogentrix Energy's
guarantees of some of its subsidiaries' indebtedness. Parent EBITDA is not
presented here as a measure of operating results. Our management believes Parent
EBITDA is a useful measure of Cogentrix Energy's ability to service debt. Parent
EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative either (a) to operating income
(determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) or (b)
to cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles).

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

         We have completed our investigation, analysis, remediation and
contingency planning for our corporate business critical systems, as well as our
embedded technology systems for our mission critical facilities. The
investigation and analysis identified no significant Year 2000 issues. We will
continue to communicate with critical suppliers, vendors, joint venture partners
and major customers to assess their compliance efforts and our exposure to any
Year 2000 problems they may experience. We did not incur any significant
additional expenses related to the Year 2000 issue in the quarter ended
September 30, 1999. At this time, we do not expect a major impact from
non-compliant Year 2000 suppliers, vendors, joint venture partners or major
customers. We have developed contingency plans for all of the critical systems.
These plans were developed to address our most likely worse case scenario which
is the inability of our facilities to produce and distribute power. These plans
have been tested, and appear to be adequate. We cannot guarantee, however, that
no interruptions or other limitations of financial and operating system
functionality will occur or that we will not ultimately incur significant,
unplanned costs to avoid such interruptions or limitations.



                                       14
<PAGE>   15

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         One of our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries is party to certain
product liability claims related to the sale of coal combustion by-products for
use in various construction projects. We cannot currently estimate the range of
possible loss, if any, our subsidiary will ultimately bear as a result of these
claims. However, our management believes - based on its knowledge of the facts
and legal theories applicable to these claims and after consultations with
various counsel retained to represent this subsidiary in defense of these claims
- - that the ultimate resolution of these claims should not have a material
adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations,
or on Cogentrix Energy's ability to generate cash flow to service its
outstanding debt.

         In addition, we experience other routine litigation in the normal
course of our business. Our management is of the opinion that none of this
routine litigation should have a material adverse effect on our consolidated
financial position, results of operation, or cash flows.


                                       15
<PAGE>   16

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


         (a)  Exhibits


                  Exhibit No.                  Description of Exhibit
                  -----------                  ----------------------

                  3.1               Articles of Incorporation of Cogentrix
                                    Energy, Inc. (3.1) (1)

                  3.2               Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cogentrix
                                    Energy, Inc., as amended. (3.2)(5)

                  4.1               Indenture, dated as of March 15, 1994,
                                    between Cogentrix Energy, Inc. and First
                                    Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
                                    Trustee, including form of 8.10% 2004 Senior
                                    Note. (4.1)(2)

                  4.2               Indenture, dated as of October 20, 1998
                                    between Cogentrix Energy, Inc. and First
                                    Union National Bank, as Trustee, including
                                    form of 8.75% Senior Note. (4.2) (3)

                  4.3               First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of
                                    October 20, 1998, between Cogentrix Energy,
                                    Inc. and First Union National Bank, as
                                    Trustee. (4.3) (3)

                  4.4               Registration Agreement, dated as of October
                                    20, 1998, by and among Cogentrix Energy,
                                    Inc., Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Goldman,
                                    Sachs & Co. and CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. (4.4)
                                    (3)

                  4.5               Registration Agreement, dated as of November
                                    25, 1998, between Cogentrix Energy, Inc. and
                                    Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. (4.5) (3)

                  4.6               Amendment No. 1 to the First Supplemental
                                    Indenture, dated as of November 25, 1998,
                                    between Cogentrix Energy, Inc. and First
                                    Union National Bank, as Trustee. (4.6) (4)

                  10.1              Credit Agreement, dated as of September 8,
                                    1999, between Cogentrix Eastern America,
                                    Inc. and Dresdner Bank, AG, as
                                    administrative agent.

                  10.2              Pledge Agreement, dated as of September 8,
                                    1999 between Cogentrix Delaware Holdings,
                                    Inc. and Dresdner Bank AG as administrative
                                    agent.

                  10.3              Amendments to Cogentrix Energy, Inc.
                                    Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan.

                  27                Financial Data Schedule, which is submitted
                                    electronically to the U.S. Securities and
                                    Exchange Commission for information only and
                                    is not filed.

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

                  No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter covered
                  by this report.

                  (1)      Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement
                           on Form S-1 (File No. 33-74254) filed January 19,
                           1994. The number designating the exhibit on the
                           exhibit index to such previously-filed report is
                           enclosed in parentheses at the end of the description
                           of the exhibit above.

                  (2)      Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K (File No.
                           33-74254) filed September 28, 1994. The number
                           designating the exhibit on the exhibit index to such
                           previously-filed report is enclosed in parentheses at
                           the end of the description of the exhibit above.

                  (3)      Incorporated by reference to the Registration
                           Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-67171) filed
                           November 12, 1998. The number designating the exhibit
                           on the exhibit index to such previously-filed report
                           is enclosed in parentheses at the end of the
                           description of the exhibit above.


                                       16
<PAGE>   17

                  (4)      Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the
                           Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.
                           33-67171) filed January 27, 1999. The number
                           designating the exhibit on the exhibit index to such
                           previously-filed report is enclosed in parentheses at
                           the end of the description of the exhibit above.

                  (5)      Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q (File No.
                           33-74254) filed May 17, 1999. The number designating
                           the exhibit on the exhibit index to such
                           previously-filed report is enclosed in parentheses at
                           the end of the description of the exhibit above.


                                       17
<PAGE>   18

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                    COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.
                                    (Registrant)


November 15, 1999                   /s/Thomas F. Schwartz
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Thomas F. Schwartz
                                    Senior Vice President - Finance
                                    Treasurer
                                    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



                                       18



<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                                                                  EXECUTION COPY



================================================================================

                                   $75,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                        COGENTRIX EASTERN AMERICA, INC.,
                                  AS BORROWER,

                            THE SEVERAL LENDERS FROM
                          TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,

                                       AND

                       DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,
                             AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT


                          DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1999

================================================================================




<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Page
                                                                                               ----
<S>  <C>                                                                                       <C>

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS..........................................................................1
     1.1  Defined Terms..........................................................................1
     1.2  Other Definitional Provisions.........................................................18

SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS.....................................................19
     2.1  Revolving Commitments.................................................................19
     2.2  Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing................................................20
     2.3  Revolving Commitment Fees, etc. ......................................................20
     2.4  Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments.....................................21
     2.5  Optional Prepayments..................................................................21
     2.6  Mandatory Prepayments.................................................................21
     2.7  Conversion and Continuation Options...................................................22
     2.8  Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches....................................................22
     2.9  Interest Rates and Payment Dates......................................................22
     2.10  Computation of Interest and Fees.....................................................23
     2.11  Inability to Determine Interest Rate.................................................23
     2.12  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments......................................................24
     2.13  Requirements of Law..................................................................25
     2.14  Taxes................................................................................26
     2.15  Indemnity............................................................................27
     2.16  Change of Lending Office.............................................................28

SECTION 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................28
     3.1  Financial Condition...................................................................28
     3.2  No Change.............................................................................29
     3.3  Existence; Compliance with Law........................................................29
     3.4  Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations...............................29
     3.5  No Legal Bar..........................................................................30
     3.6  Litigation............................................................................30
     3.7  No Default............................................................................30
     3.8  Ownership of Property; Liens..........................................................30
     3.9  Taxes.................................................................................30
     3.10  Federal Regulations..................................................................31
     3.11  ERISA................................................................................31
     3.12  Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act; Other Regulations........31
     3.13  Subsidiaries.........................................................................31
     3.14  Use of Proceeds......................................................................32
     3.15  Accuracy of Information, etc.........................................................32
     3.16  Security Documents...................................................................32
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Page
                                                                                               ----
<S>  <C>                                                                                       <C>
     3.17  Solvency.............................................................................33
     3.18  Year 2000 Matters....................................................................33
     3.20  Principal Place of Business, Etc. ...................................................33
     3.21  Regulatory Status....................................................................33

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT................................................................34
     4.1  Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit.............................................34
     4.2  Conditions to Each Revolving Loan.....................................................35

SECTION 5.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................36
     5.1  Financial Statements..................................................................36
     5.2  Certificates; Other Information.......................................................37
     5.3  Payment of Obligations................................................................38
     5.4  Maintenance of Existence; Compliance.  ...............................................38
     5.5  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions................................39
     5.6  Notices...............................................................................39
     5.7  Required Insurance....................................................................40
     5.8  Employee Plans........................................................................41
     5.9  Indiantown Ownership..................................................................41

SECTION 6.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................41
     6.1 Indebtedness...........................................................................41
     6.2  Liens.................................................................................41
     6.3  Fundamental Changes...................................................................42
     6.4  Disposition of Property...............................................................42
     6.5  Restrictions on Withdrawals...........................................................42
     6.6  Investments...........................................................................43
     6.7  Modifications of Certain Documents; Additional Contracts. ............................43
     6.8  Transactions with Affiliates..........................................................44
     6.9  Sales and Leasebacks..................................................................44
     6.10  Changes in Fiscal Periods............................................................44
     6.11  Negative Pledge Clauses..............................................................44
     6.12  Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions.........................................45
     6.13  Lines of Business....................................................................45
     6.14  Leases...............................................................................45
     6.15  Guarantee Obligations................................................................45
     6.16  Debt Service Coverage Ratio..........................................................45

SECTION 7.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT...................................................................46

SECTION 8.  THE AGENT...........................................................................50
     8.1  Appointment...........................................................................50
     8.2  Delegation of Duties..................................................................50
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Page
                                                                                               ----
<S>  <C>                                                                                       <C>
     8.3  Exculpatory Provisions................................................................50
     8.4  Reliance by Administrative Agent......................................................50
     8.5  Notice of Default.....................................................................51
     8.6  Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders..............................................51
     8.7  Indemnification.......................................................................52
     8.8  Agent in Its Individual Capacity......................................................52
     8.9  Successor Administrative Agent........................................................52
     8.10  Authorization to Release Liens.......................................................53

SECTION 9.  MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................53
     9.1  Amendments and Waivers................................................................53
     9.2  Notices...............................................................................53
     9.3  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies........................................................54
     9.4  Survival of Representations and Warranties............................................55
     9.5  Payment of Expenses and Taxes.........................................................55
     9.6  Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments................................56
     9.7  Adjustments; Set-off..................................................................58
     9.8  Counterparts..........................................................................58
     9.9  Severability..........................................................................58
     9.10  Integration..........................................................................58
     9.11  GOVERNING LAW........................................................................59
     9.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers..................................................59
     9.13  Acknowledgments......................................................................59
     9.14  Confidentiality......................................................................60
     9.15  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL................................................................60
</TABLE>


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   5


SCHEDULES:

1.1 (a)               Addresses of Lenders and Percentages
1.1 (b)               Cogentrix Eastern America Revolver Analysis
3.13                  Subsidiaries/Affiliates of Borrower
3.16                  UCC Filing Jurisdictions
3.19                  Transaction Documents to be Supplied


EXHIBITS:

A                     Form of Borrowing Request
B                     Form of Revolving Note
C                     Form of Security Deposit Agreement
D-1                   Form of Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement
D-2                   Form of Northhampton Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement
D-3                   Form of Logan Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement
E                     Form of Closing Certificate
F-1                   Form of Legal Opinion of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC
F-2                   Form of Legal Opinion of Menaker & Herrmann, LLP
G-1                   Form of Extension Request
G-2                   Form of Extension Agreement
H                     Form of Assignment and Acceptance
I                     Form of Tax Certificate


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   6

         CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 8, 1999, between COGENTRIX
EASTERN AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the several
banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to
this Agreement (the "Lenders"), and DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as
administrative agent for the Lenders.

                  The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

                  1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed
in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section
1.1.

                  "ABR": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate
in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such
day plus 1/2 of 1%. For purposes hereof: "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of
interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Reference Lender
as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime
Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the
Reference Lender in connection with extensions of credit to debtors). Any change
in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate
shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such
change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

                  "ABR Loans": Revolving Loans the rate of interest applicable
to which is based upon the ABR.

                  "Accounts": as defined in the Security Deposit Agreement.

                  "Administrative Agent": Dresdner as the administrative agent
for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together
with any of its successors.

                  "Affiliate": as to any Person, any other Person that, directly
or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means
the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the
securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or
otherwise.

                  "Agreement": this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Applicable Law": all Requirements of Law and all applicable
laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, treaties, orders, decrees,
judgments, decisions, certificates, holdings, injunctions, Governmental Actions
or requirement of any Governmental Authority along with the interpretation and
administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged


<PAGE>   7
                                                                               2

with the interpretation or administration thereof. Unless the context clearly
requires otherwise, the term "Applicable Law" shall include each of the
foregoing (and each provision thereof) as in effect at the time in question,
including any amendments, supplements, replacements, or other modifications
thereto or thereof, and whether or not in effect as of the date of the Credit
Agreement.

                  "Applicable Margin": 0.50% per annum for ABR Loans and 1.50%
per annum for Eurodollar Loans.

                  "Assignee": as defined in Section 9.6(c).

                  "Assignment and Acceptance": an Assignment and Acceptance,
substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

                  "Assignor": as defined in Section 9.6(c).

                  "Available Revolving Commitment": as to any Lender at any
time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of such Lender's
Revolving Commitment then in effect over (b) the aggregate principal amount of
such Lender's Revolving Loans then outstanding.

                  "Benefitted Lender": as defined in Section 9.7(a).

                  "Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
of the United States (or any successor).

                  "Borrower": as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Borrower Distribution Date": as defined in the Security
Deposit Agreement.

                  "Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement": the Stock Pledge Agreement
to be executed and delivered by CDH in favor of the Administrative Agent,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

                  "Borrowing Date": any Business Day specified by the Borrower
in a Borrowing Request as a date on which the Borrower requests the Lenders to
make a Revolving Loan hereunder.

                  "Borrowing Request": a request and certificate of the Borrower
substantially in the form of Exhibit A (with such changes thereto as agreed upon
from time to time by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower).

                  "Business Day": a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law
to close, provided, that with respect to notices and determinations in
connection with, and payments of principal and


<PAGE>   8
                                                                               3


interest on, Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day for trading by and between
banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar market.

                  "Capital Lease Obligations": as to any Person, the obligations
of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP
and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any
time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations
or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any
and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation)
and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

                  "Carneys Point Financing Documents": the collective reference
to (i) the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1997, by
and among Chambers, ING (U.S.) Capital Corporation, as Agent, and each of the
banks parties thereto, and (ii) any and all other loan agreements, credit
agreements, indentures and other contracts or agreements relating to the
financing or refinancing of the Carneys Point Project or entered into in
connection with such financing or refinancing, in the case of each of (i) and
(ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Carneys Point Holdco": Cogentrix/Carneys Point, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

                  "Carneys Point Project": the 262-megawatt pulverized coal
fired cogeneration facility, owned by Chambers, located within the grounds of
the DuPont Chamber Works, a chemical complex in Carneys Point, New Jersey.

                  "Carneys Point Project Documents": the collective reference to
(i) any and all contracts providing for (a) the sale, exchange or transmission
of any of the Carneys Point Project's electrical or steam output or (b) the
supply or transportation of fuel, goods or services essential to the operation
of the Carneys Point Project (other than employment contracts and contracts
involving less than $500,000 annually or having a maximum term (including
renewal options) of less than six months) or (c) the removal of ash or other
by-products from the Carneys Point Project or (d) the acquisition or lease of
any material item of real or personal property related to the Carneys Point
Project, and (ii) any partnership agreements, membership agreements,
shareholders agreements and similar agreements with respect to Chambers, in the
case of each of (i) and (ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.

                  "Cash Equivalents": (a) marketable direct obligations of the
United States, (b) marketable obligations directly and fully guaranteed as to
interest and principal by the United States, (c) demand deposits with the
Administrative Agent, and time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker's
acceptances issued by (i) the Administrative Agent or (ii) any member bank of
the Federal Reserve System which is organized under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof or any United States branch of a foreign bank, in
each case whose long-term debt


<PAGE>   9
                                                                               4


securities are rated "A" or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation and "A2" or
better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., (d) commercial paper or tax exempt
obligations given the highest rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and
Standard & Poor's Corporation, (e) obligations of the Administrative Agent or
any bank described in paragraph (c) above, in respect of the repurchase of
obligations of the type as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof, provided
that such repurchase obligations shall be fully secured by obligations of the
type described in said paragraphs (a) and (b) and the possession of such
obligations shall be transferred to, and segregated from other obligations owned
by, the Administrative Agent or any such bank, (f) instruments rated "AAA" by
Standard & Poor's Corporation and "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
issued by investment companies and having a maturity of 180 days or less, (g)
eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by the Administrative Agent or any
bank described in paragraph (c) above, and (h) marketable securities rated not
less than "A-1" by Standard & Poor's Corporation or not less than "Prime-1" by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. In no event shall any cash in the Accounts be
invested in any obligation, certificate of deposit, acceptance, commercial paper
or instrument which by its terms matures more than 180 days after the date of
investment, unless the Administrative Agent or a bank meeting the requirements
of paragraph (c) above shall have agreed to repurchase such obligation,
certificate of deposit, acceptance, commercial paper or instrument at its
purchase price plus earned interest within no more than 180 days after its
purchase hereunder.

                  "CDH": Cogentrix Delaware Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

                  "Chambers": Chambers Cogeneration Limited Partnership, a
Delaware limited partnership.

                  "Chase": The Chase Manhattan Bank.

                  "Closing Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set
forth in Section 4.1 shall have been satisfied.

                  "Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

                  "Cogentrix Energy": Cogentrix Energy, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation.

                  "Cogentrix Holdcos": the collective reference to the
Northampton Holdco, the Logan Holdco, the Indiantown Holdco and the Carneys
Point Holdco.

                  "Collateral": the collective reference to all property and
interests in property (tangible or intangible) now owned or hereafter acquired
in or upon which a Lien has been or is purported or intended to have been
granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Documents,
including, without limitation, the "Collateral" as defined in the Security
Deposit Agreement and the "Pledged Stock" as defined in each of the Stock Pledge
Agreements.

                  "Commonly Controlled Entity": an entity, whether or not
incorporated, that is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning
of Section 4001 of ERISA or is


<PAGE>   10
                                                                               5


part of a group that includes the Borrower and that is treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.

                  "Contractual Obligation": as to any Person, any provision of
any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.

                  "Credit Documents": the collective reference to this
Agreement, the Revolving Notes, all Borrowing Requests and the Security
Documents.

                  "Credit Parties": the collective reference to the Borrower and
CDH.

                  "Debt Service": for any period, the sum of (a) all amounts
payable by the Borrower during such period in respect of (i) interest on the
Revolving Loans and (ii) prepayments of principal of the Revolving Loans
pursuant to Section 2.6(a) hereof (but in no event including any payment of
principal due on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date pursuant to Section
2.1(b) hereof), (b) all fees payable under or in connection with this Agreement
during such period (including, without limitation, all Administrative Agent's
fees and Revolving Commitment Fees) and (c) all costs, expenses, indemnities and
other amounts payable (other than principal of the Revolving Loans) by the
Borrower during such period to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders
pursuant to any of the Credit Documents.

                  "Debt Service Coverage Ratio": for any period, the ratio of
(i) the Operating Cash Flow for such period to (ii) the Debt Service for such
period.

                  "Default": any of the events specified in Section 7, whether
or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has
been satisfied.

                  "Disposition": with respect to any property, any sale, lease,
sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition
thereof. The terms "Dispose" and "Disposed of" shall have correlative meanings.

                  "Distribution Certificate": as defined in the Security Deposit
Agreement.

                  "Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency of the United
States.

                  "Dresdner": Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch.

                  "Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, Federal, state,
local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances,
codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements
of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the environment,
as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

                  "ERISA": the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time.


<PAGE>   11
                                                                               6


                  "Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day as applied to
a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates
(expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day
(including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under any
regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
with respect thereto) dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for
eurocurrency funding maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System,
or any London branch of any Lender.

                  "Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum determined
on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such
Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest Period appearing on
Page 3750 of the Bridge Telerate screen as of 11:00 A.M., London time, two
Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period. In the event that
such rate does not appear on Page 3750 of the Bridge Telerate screen (or
otherwise on such screen), the "Eurodollar Base Rate" shall be determined by
reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying
eurodollar rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the
absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which the
Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., New York
City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in
the interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar and foreign currency and
exchange operations are then being conducted for delivery on the first day of
such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein.

                  "Eurodollar Loans": Revolving Loans the rate of interest
applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

                  "Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for
such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest
1/100th of 1%):

                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                    ----------------------------------------
                    1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

                  "Eurodollar Tranche": the collective reference to Eurodollar
Loans the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on
the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Revolving
Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

                  "Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 7,
provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
both, has been satisfied.

                  "Extension Agreement": an extension agreement substantially in
the form of Exhibit G-2

                  "Extension Request": an extension request substantially in the
form of Exhibit G-1


<PAGE>   12
                                                                               7


                  "Extension Date": as defined in Section 2.1(c) hereof.

                  "Existing Projects": the collective reference to the Projects
and the eight other electric generating facilities and interest in the Iroquois
gas pipeline owned as of the Closing Date by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate": for any day, the weighted
average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the
next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if
such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of
the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative
Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

                  "FERC": the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

                  "Financing Documents": the collective reference to the
Northampton Financing Documents, the Indiantown Financing Documents, the Carneys
Point Financing Documents and the Logan Financing Documents.

                  "FPA": the Federal Power Act, as amended from time to time.

                  "Funding Office": the office of the Administrative Agent
specified in Section 9.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to
time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the
Borrower and the Lenders.

                  "GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States as in effect from time to time.

                  "Governmental Action": all permits, authorizations,
registrations, consents, approvals, waivers, exceptions, variances, claims,
licenses, exemptions, publications, filings, notices to and declarations of or
with any Governmental Authority.

                  "Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state
or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality,
regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory
organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

                  "Granite": Granite Generating Company, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership.

                  "Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing
person"), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person
(including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which
the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar
obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any
Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the "primary obligations")
of any other third Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly,


<PAGE>   13
                                                                               8


including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent,
(i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct
or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the
purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working
capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the
net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property,
securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any
such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of
such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner
of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided,
however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of
instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The
amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to
be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the
primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b)
the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to
the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such
primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may
be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such
Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in good
faith.

                  "Hedge Agreements": all interest rate swaps, caps or collar
agreements or similar arrangements providing for protection against fluctuations
in interest rates or currency exchange rates or the exchange of nominal interest
obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies.

                  "Holding Account": as defined in the Security Deposit
Agreement.

                  "Holding Company Act": the Public Utility Holding Company Act
of 1935, as amended from time to time.

                  "Indebtedness": of any Person at any date, without
duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all
obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or
services (other than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of
such Person's business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes,
bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or
arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with
respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies
of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited
to repossession or sale of such property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of
such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an
account party under acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (g) the
liquidation value of all redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person, (h)
all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind
referred to in paragraphs (a) through (g) above; (i) all obligations of the kind
referred to in paragraphs (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the
holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be
secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned
by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the
payment of such obligation; and (j) all obligations of such Person in respect of
Hedge Agreements.


<PAGE>   14
                                                                               9


                  "Indiantown": Indiantown Cogeneration, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership.

                  "Indiantown Financing Documents": the collective reference to
(i) the Trust Indenture dated as of November 1, 1994 among Indiantown
Cogeneration Funding Corporation, Indiantown and NationsBank of Florida, N.A.,
as trustee, and (ii) any and all other loan agreements, credit agreements,
indentures and other contracts or agreements relating to the financing or
refinancing of the Indiantown Project or entered into in connection with such
financing or refinancing, in the case of each of (i) and (ii) as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Indiantown Holdco": Palm Power Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.

                  "Indiantown Project": the 380-megawatt pulverized coal-fired
cogeneration facility, owned by Indiantown, located in Martin County, Florida.

                  "Indiantown Project Documents": the collective reference to
(i) any and all contracts providing for (a) the sale, exchange or transmission
of any of the Indiantown Project's electrical or steam output or (b) the supply
or transportation of fuel, goods or services essential to the operation of the
Indiantown Project (other than employment contracts and contracts involving less
than $500,000 annually or having a maximum term (including renewal options) of
less than six months) or (c) the removal of ash or other by-products from the
Indiantown Project or (d) the acquisition or lease of any material item of real
or personal property related to the Indiantown Project, and (ii) any and all
partnership agreements, membership agreements, shareholders agreements and
similar agreements with respect to Indiantown, in the case of each of (i) and
(ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Insolvency": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of
ERISA.

                  "Insolvent": pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

                  "Interest Payment Date": (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day
of each March, June, September and December to occur while such ABR Loan is
outstanding and the final maturity date of such ABR Loan, (b) as to any
Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day
of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period
longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple
thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such
Interest Period and (d) as to any Revolving Loan, the date of any repayment or
prepayment made in respect thereof.

                  "Interest Period": as to any Eurodollar Loan, (a) initially,
the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be,
with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months
thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Borrowing Request or notice of
conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and (b) thereafter,
each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period
applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months
thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the
Administrative Agent not less than three


<PAGE>   15
                                                                              10


Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with
respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to
Interest Periods are subject to the following:

                           (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
         day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended
         to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension
         would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in
         which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding
         Business Day;

                           (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last
         Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
         numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
         Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar
         month; and

                           (iii) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so
         as not to require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during
         an Interest Period for such Revolving Loan.

                  "Investments": as defined in Section 6.6.

                  "Keystone Cogen": Keystone Cogeneration Company, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership.

                  "Keystone Urban": Keystone Urban Renewal, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership.

                  "Lenders": as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or
preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

                  "Logan Financing Documents": the collective reference to (i)
the Third Amended and Restated Reimbursement and Loan Agreement dated as of
November 1, 1995, among Logan Generating, Keystone Urban, Union Bank of
Switzerland and each of the banks parties thereto, and (ii) any and all other
loan agreements, credit agreements, indentures and other contracts or agreements
relating to the financing or refinancing of the Logan Project or entered into in
connection with such financing or refinancing, in the case of each of (i) and
(ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Logan Generating": Logan Generating Company, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership.


<PAGE>   16
                                                                              11


                  "Logan Holdco": Cogentrix/Logan, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                  "Logan Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement": the Stock Pledge
Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Borrower in favor of the
Administrative Agent in respect of the stock of the Logan Holdco, substantially
in the form of Exhibit D-3, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.

                  "Logan Project": the 218-megawatt pulverized coal-fired
facility, owned by Keystone Urban, located on the Delaware River in Logan
Township, New Jersey.

                  "Logan Project Documents": the collective reference to (i) any
and all contracts providing for (a) the sale, exchange or transmission of any of
the Logan Project's electrical or steam output or (b) the supply or
transportation of fuel, goods or services essential to the operation of the
Logan Project (other than employment contracts and contracts involving less than
$500,000 annually or having a maximum term (including renewal options) of less
than six months), or (c) the removal of ash or other by-products from the Logan
Project or (d) the acquisition or lease of any material item of real or personal
property related to the Logan Project, and (ii) any and all partnership
agreements, membership agreements, shareholders agreements and similar
agreements with respect to any of the Logan Subs, in the case of each of (i) and
(ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Logan Subs": the collective reference to Logan Generating,
Granite, Keystone Urban and Keystone Cogen.

                  "Material Adverse Change": a material adverse effect on (a)
the business, assets, property or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Borrower or any Primary Significant Subsidiary (including the ability of the
Borrower to perform its obligations under the Credit Documents) or (b) the
validity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or the rights and
remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder or hereunder.

                  "Multiemployer Plan": a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

                  "Non-Excluded Taxes":  as defined in Section 2.14(a).

                  "Non-Primary Financing Documents": the collective reference to
the Northampton Financing Documents and the Carneys Point Financing Documents.

                  "Non-Primary Project Documents": the collective reference to
the Northampton Project Documents and the Carneys Point Project Documents.

                  "Non-Primary Projects": the collective reference to the
Northampton Project and the Carneys Point Project.

                  "Non-Primary Significant Subsidiaries": the collective
reference to Northampton and Chambers.


<PAGE>   17
                                                                              12


                  "Non-U.S. Lender": as defined in Section 2.14(d).

                  "Northampton": Northampton Generating Company, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership.

                  "Northampton Financing Documents": the collective reference to
(i) the Credit and Reimbursement Agreement among Northampton, ABN AMRO Bank
N.V., ABN AMRO Bank N.V. Credit Suisse, Credit Lyonnais New York Branch and the
banks parties thereto, and (ii) any and all other loan agreements, credit
agreements, indentures and other contracts or agreements relating to the
financing or refinancing of the Northampton Project or entered into in
connection with such financing or refinancing, in the case of each of (i) and
(ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Northampton Holdco": Cogentrix/Northampton, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

                  "Northampton Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement": the Stock Pledge
Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Borrower in favor of the
Administrative Agent in respect of the stock of the Northampton Holdco,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

                  "Northampton Project": the 110-megawatt anthracite waste
coal-fired electric generating facility, owned by Northampton, located in
Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

                  "Northampton Project Documents": the collective reference to
(i) any and all contracts providing for (a) the sale, exchange or transmission
of any of the Northampton Project's electrical or steam output or (b) the supply
or transportation of fuel, goods or services essential to the operation of the
Northampton Project (other than employment contracts and contracts involving
less than $500,000 annually or having a maximum term (including renewal terms)
of less than six months) or (c) the removal of ash or other by-products from the
Northampton Project or (d) the acquisition or lease of any material item of real
or personal property related to the Northampton Project, and (ii) any and all
partnership agreements, membership agreements, shareholders agreements and
similar agreements with respect to Northampton, in the case of each of (i) and
(ii) as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Obligations": the unpaid principal of and interest on
(including interest accruing after the maturity of the Revolving Loans and
interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the
commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to
the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest
is allowed in such proceeding) the Revolving Loans and all other obligations and
liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender,
whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now
existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection
with, this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other document made,
delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of
principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs,
expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all Revolving Commitment
Fees and all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to


<PAGE>   18
                                                                              13


the Administrative Agent, or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the
Borrower pursuant hereto or any other Credit Document).

                  "Operating Account": as defined in Section 6.14(a).

                  "Operating Cash Flow": for any period, the sum of all cash
dividends and distributions actually paid to the Borrower during such period in
respect of its direct or indirect interests in the Significant Subsidiaries.

                  "Other Taxes": any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
Credit Document.

                  "Participant":  as defined in Section 9.6(b).

                  "PBGC": the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).

                  "Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the percentage set
forth opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1(a) under the heading
"Percentage" or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender
became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to
the terms hereof.

                  "Permitted Withdrawals":  as defined in Section 6.5.

                  "Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever
nature.

                  "Plan": at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that
is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly
Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under
Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5)
of ERISA.

                  "Primary Financing Documents": the collective reference to the
Indiantown Financing Documents and the Logan Financing Documents.

                  "Primary Project Documents": the collective reference to the
Indiantown Project Documents and the Logan Project Documents.

                  "Primary Projects": the collective reference to the Indiantown
Project and the Logan Project.

                  "Primary Significant Subsidiaries": the collective reference
to Indiantown and the Logan Subs.


<PAGE>   19
                                                                              14


                  "Project Documents": the collective reference to the
Northampton Project Documents, the Indiantown Project Documents, the Carneys
Point Project Documents and the Logan Project Documents.

                  "Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio": for any future
period, the ratio of (i) projected Operating Cash Flow for such period to (ii)
projected Debt Service for such period; provided that any assumptions used in
the preparation of either (i) or (ii) above shall be reasonably acceptable to
the Administrative Agent. In determining the projected Debt Service under (ii)
of this definition for any period, it shall be assumed that:

                  (a) for purposes of determining whether Section 4.2(e) hereof
         is satisfied in connection with any request by the Borrower for the
         Lenders to make any Revolving Loan, at all times during such period the
         amount of the Total Revolving Loans will be equal to the Total
         Revolving Loans that would be then outstanding immediately after giving
         effect to the aggregate amount of the Revolving Loans then requested by
         the Borrower to be made (but taking into account the effect during such
         period of any requirement to make mandatory prepayments pursuant to
         Section 2.6(a) hereof);

                  (b) for purposes of determining whether Section 6.5(a) hereof
         is satisfied in connection with any Distribution Certificate, at all
         times during such period the amount of the Total Revolving Loans will
         be equal to the Total Revolving Loans outstanding as of the date of
         such Distribution Certificate (but taking into account the effect
         during such period of any requirement to make mandatory prepayments
         pursuant to Section 2.6(a) hereof); and

                  (c) for purposes of determining under the second sentence of
         Section 6.7 hereof whether the consent of the Required Lenders is
         required under the first sentence of Section 6.7 hereof in connection
         with any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver under any
         Transaction Document or any new Transaction Document or any
         refinancing, at all times during such period the amount of the Total
         Revolving Loans will be equal to the Total Revolving Loans outstanding
         as of the effective date of such amendment, supplement, modification,
         waiver, new Transaction Document or refinancing (but taking into
         account the effect during such period of any requirement to make
         mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section 2.6(a) hereof).

                  "Project Loss Event": the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) the actual or constructive total loss of all or substantially all of any
Project, or the condemnation, confiscation or seizure of, or requisition of
title to, or requisition by any Governmental Authority of the use of, all or
substantially all of any Project; or (ii) the loss, destruction or damage of, or
condemnation, confiscation or seizure of, or requisition of title to, or
requisition by any Governmental Authority of the use of, such material portion
of any Project as shall render such Project unable to operate at substantially
the same level of operation as prior to the occurrence of such event, unless (in
the case of this clause (ii)) (x) no Event of Default shall otherwise have
occurred and be continuing at the time of occurrence of or immediately after
giving effect to any of the events specified in this clause (ii) and (y) such
events could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                  "Project Participants": the collective reference to each
Person that is a party to a Project Document.


<PAGE>   20
                                                                              15


                  "Projects": the collective reference to the Northampton
Project, the Indiantown Project, the Carneys Point Project and the Logan
Project.

                  "Public Utility":  any Person who is:

                           (a)(i) "primarily engaged in the generation or sale
         of electric power (other than electric power solely from cogeneration
         facilities or small power production facilities)" within the meaning of
         Section 292.206(a) of the PURPA Regulations or any successor regulation
         thereto or (ii) an "electric utility" or an "electric utility holding
         company", or a wholly or partially-owned direct or indirect subsidiary
         of an "electric utility" or "electric utility holding company", for the
         purposes of Section 292.206(b) of the PURPA Regulations or any
         successor regulation thereto; or

                           (b) subject to any regulation under any Applicable
         Law as a "public utility", a "public service corporation", an "electric
         utility", a "steam utility" a "public utility holding company", an
         "affiliate" or "subsidiary" of a "public utility" or "public utility
         holding company", or any similar type of entity, including, without
         limitation:

                                    (i) as a "public utility" under the FPA;

                                    (ii) as a "holding company", an "affiliate"
         of a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
         company" under the Holding Company Act; or

                                    (iii) as any type of entity subject to
         regulation under any Applicable Law of any State of the United States
         relating to public utilities.

                  "PURPA": the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978,
as amended from time to time.

                  "PURPA Regulations": the regulations promulgated by FERC
pursuant to PURPA, as amended from time to time.

                  "Qualifying Facility": a facility meeting all of the
requirements for a "qualifying cogeneration facility" set forth in PURPA and the
PURPA Regulations and eligible for the benefits provided in Section 292.601,
Section 292.602 and Subpart C of the PURPA Regulations.

                  "Quarterly Payment Date": the last day of each March, June,
September and December.

                  "Reference Lender":  Chase.

                  "Register":  as defined in Section 9.6(d).

                  "Regulation U": Regulation U of the Board as in effect from
time to time.


<PAGE>   21
                                                                              16


                  "Reorganization": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241
of ERISA.

                  "Reportable Event": any of the events set forth in Section
4043(b) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice
period is waived under subsections .27, .28, .29, .30, .31, .32, .34 or .35 of
PBGC Reg. ss. 4043.

                  "Reporting Subsidiaries": means the collective reference to
each Significant Subsidiary other than Granite and Keystone Cogen.

                  "Required Lenders": at any time, Lenders the Percentages of
which aggregate at least 66-2/3%.

                  "Required Projections": the projections of the Operating Cash
Flow to Debt Service for the period from the Closing Date until the Revolving
Commitment Termination Date, which projections shall (A) be satisfactory in form
and substance to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (B) show, among
other things, Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratios as more specifically set
out in Schedule 1.1 (b) attached hereto for each period covered by such Schedule
(assuming a fully drawn facility throughout such period but taking into account
the effect during such period of any requirement to make mandatory prepayments
pursuant to Section 2.6(a) hereof).

                  "Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or
any of its property is subject.

                  "Responsible Officer": as to any Person, the chief executive
officer, president or chief financial officer of such Person, but in any event,
with respect to financial matters, the president, the chief financial officer
or, the vice president-finance of such Person.

                  "Revenues":  as defined in the Security Deposit Agreement.

                  "Revenue Account": as defined in the Security Deposit
Agreement.

                  "Revolving Commitment": as to any Lender at any time, the
obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Loans in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed such Lender's Percentage of the Total Facility
Amount at such time.

                  "Revolving Commitment Fee":  as defined in Section 2.3(a).

                  "Revolving Commitment Fee Rate":  3/8 of 1% per annum.

                  "Revolving Commitment Period": the period from and including
the Closing Date and to and excluding the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.


<PAGE>   22
                                                                              17


                  "Revolving Facility": the Revolving Commitments and the
Revolving Loans made thereunder.

                  "Revolving Loan":  as defined in Section 2.1(a).

                  "Revolving Commitment Termination Date": the third anniversary
of the Closing Date (as such date may be extended pursuant to Section 2.1(c)),
unless the Revolving Commitments shall have been earlier terminated pursuant to
Section 2.4 or Section 7, in which case the date of such earlier termination.

                  "Revolving Note:"  as defined in section 2.1(d).

                  "SEC": the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor
thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.

                  "Secured Parties" shall mean the collective reference to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

                  "Security Deposit Agreement": the Security Deposit Agreement
to be executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

                  "Security Documents": the collective reference to the Security
Deposit Agreement and the Stock Pledge Agreements.

                  "Significant Subsidiaries": the collective reference to
Northampton, Indiantown, Chambers and the Logan Subs.

                  "Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies": the collective
reference to each Cogentrix Holdco and any other Subsidiary of the Borrower
directly or indirectly owning any interest in any Significant Subsidiary (other
than any Subsidiary which is itself a Significant Subsidiary).

                  "Single Employer Plan": any Plan that is covered by Title IV
of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

                  "Solvent": when used with respect to any Person, means that,
as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair saleable
value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of
all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise", as of such date, as
such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state
laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair
saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater
than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its
debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have,
as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct
its business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature.
For purposes of this definition, (i) "debt" means liability on a "claim", and
(ii)


<PAGE>   23
                                                                              18


"claim" means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced
to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured,
disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an
equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right
to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to
judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured
or unsecured.

                  "Stock Pledge Agreements": the collective reference to the
Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement, the Northampton Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement
and the Logan Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement.

                  "Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other
ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a
contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of
such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the
management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all
references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this Agreement shall refer
to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing
and for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, each
Significant Subsidiary Holding Company and Significant Subsidiary shall each be
considered a "Subsidiary" of the Borrower whether or not it would otherwise
satisfy the criteria for a "Subsidiary" set forth in this definition.

                  "Total Facility Amount": for the period from the Closing Date
to, but excluding, the first anniversary thereof, $75,000,000; for the period
from the first anniversary of the Closing Date to, but excluding, the second
anniversary thereof, $67,500,000; and for the period from the second anniversary
of the Closing Date until the Revolving Commitment Termination Date,
$60,000,000; in each case, as such amounts may be reduced from time to time
pursuant to Section 2.4.

                  "Total Revolving Loans": at any time, the aggregate principal
amount of the Revolving Loans of the Lenders outstanding at such time.

                  "Transaction Documents": the collective reference to the
Project Documents and the Financing Documents.

                  "Transferee":  any Assignee or Participant.

                  "Type": as to any Revolving Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or
a Eurodollar Loan. "United States": the United States of America.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary": as to any Person, any other Person
all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares
required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries.


<PAGE>   24
                                                                              19


                  1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise
specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings when used in the other Credit Documents or any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

                  (b) As used herein and in the other Credit Documents, and any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i)
accounting terms relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not defined in
Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent
not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii)
the words "include", "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed
by the phrase "without limitation", (iii) the word "incur" shall be construed to
mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to
exist (and the words "incurred" and "incurrence" shall have correlative
meanings), and (iv) the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have
the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible
assets and properties, including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues,
accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights.

                  (c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

                  (d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.


                   SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

                  2.1 Revolving Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans
("Revolving Loans") to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving
Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
which does not exceed the amount of such Lender's Revolving Commitment at such
time. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Revolving
Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, and
reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The
Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, as
determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in
accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.7.

                  (b) The Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Loans
on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

                  (c) The Revolving Commitment Termination Date may be extended,
with the unanimous written consent of the Lenders, in the manner set forth in
this Section 2.1(c), on such Revolving Commitment Termination Date and each
extension thereof pursuant to this paragraph (c) thereafter (each, an "Extension
Date"), in each case for a period of two years after the Revolving Commitment
Termination Date theretofore in effect and from each subsequently extended date.
If the Borrower wishes to request an extension of the Revolving Commitment


<PAGE>   25
                                                                              20


Termination Date on any Extension Date, it shall deliver an Extension Request to
that effect to the Administrative Agent not less than 13 nor more than 15 months
prior to such Extension Date whereupon the Administrative Agent shall notify
each of the Lenders of such Extension Request. Each Lender will use reasonable
efforts to respond to such request, whether affirmatively or negatively, no more
than six (6) weeks after the date the Borrower delivers the Extension Request to
the Administrative Agent. If all Lenders respond affirmatively (any Lender which
does not respond being deemed to have responded negatively), then, subject to
receipt by the Administrative Agent prior to such Extension Date of counterparts
of an Extension Agreement duly completed to effect such extension and signed by
all of the parties hereto, the Revolving Commitment Termination Date shall be
extended, effective on such Extension Date, for a period of two years to the
date stated in such Extension Agreement.

                  (d) The Revolving Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced
by a promissory note of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B,
with appropriate insertions as to payee, date and principal amount (a "Revolving
Note"), payable to the order of such Lender and in a principal amount equal to
the lesser of (a) the amount of the initial Revolving Commitment of such Lender
and (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by
such Lender. Each Lender is hereby authorized to record the date, Type and
amount of each Revolving Loan made by such Lender, each continuation thereof,
each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type, the date and amount
of each payment or prepayment of principal thereof and, in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, the length of each Interest Period with respect thereto, on
the schedule annexed to and constituting a part of its Revolving Note, and any
such recordation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the
information so recorded. Each Revolving Note shall (x) be dated the Closing
Date, (y) be stated to mature on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and
(z) provide for the payment of interest in accordance with Section 2.9.

                  2.2 Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing. The Borrower may
borrow under the Revolving Commitments during the Revolving Commitment Period on
any Business Day, provided that the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent
irrevocable notice by providing a Borrowing Request (which Borrowing Request
must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City
time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case
of Eurodollar Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing
Date, in the case of ABR Loans), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Revolving
Loans to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Revolving Loan and
the respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor. Any Revolving
Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be ABR Loans. Each borrowing
under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case
of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or,
if the then aggregate Available Revolving Commitments are less than $1,000,000,
such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $1,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice
from the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender
thereof. Each Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each
borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower
at the Funding Office prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Borrowing
Date requested by the Borrower in funds immediately available to the
Administrative


<PAGE>   26
                                                                              21


Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the
Administrative Agent by wire transfer to the account specified in the Borrowing
Request, in the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative
Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

                  2.3 Revolving Commitment Fees, etc. (a) The Borrower agrees to
pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee
(a "Revolving Commitment Fee") for the period from and including the Closing
Date to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the
Revolving Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available
Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made,
payable (i) quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date commencing on
the first of such dates to occur after the date hereof and (ii) on the Revolving
Commitment Termination Date.

                  (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent on
the Closing Date the fees previously agreed by them to be paid on such date.

                  (c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent an
administrative agent's fee in an amount and on the dates previously agreed to
between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

                  2.4 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments. (a)
Optional. The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three Business
Days' notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving Commitments
or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments;
provided that no such termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments
shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the
Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Loans
would exceed the Total Facility Amount. Any such reduction shall (i) be in an
amount equal to $1,000,000, or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof,
(ii) reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then in effect and (iii) shall
be effected by reducing the amount of the Total Facility Amount by the aggregate
amount of the reduction in the Revolving Commitments requested by the Borrower.

                  (b) Mandatory. In the event of any prepayment of the Revolving
Loans pursuant to Section 2.6(b), the Revolving Commitments shall be reduced by
the amount of such prepayment. Any such reduction shall (i) reduce permanently
the Revolving Commitments then in effect and (ii) shall be effected by reducing
the amount of the Total Facility Amount by the amount of such repayment on the
date such prepayment is required to be made.

                  2.5 Optional Prepayments. (a) The Borrower may at any time and
from time to time prepay the Revolving Loans, in whole or in part, without
premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative
Agent at least three Business Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Loans
and at least one Business Day prior thereto in the case of ABR Loans, which
notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the
prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar
Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, the Borrower shall


<PAGE>   27
                                                                              22


also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.15. Partial prepayments of any
Revolving Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.

                  (b) Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given,
the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date
specified therein, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount
prepaid.

                  2.6 Mandatory Prepayments. (a) If on any date the amount of
the Total Revolving Loans shall exceed the amount of the Total Facility Amount
on such date (taking into account all reductions made prior thereto), an amount
equal to 100% of such excess shall be applied by the Borrower on such date
toward the repayment of the Revolving Loans.

                  (b) If the Borrower shall have failed to meet the conditions
to make Permitted Withdrawals described in Section 6.5 as of any four
consecutive Borrower Distribution Dates, on the last such Borrower Distribution
Date, the Borrower shall, to the extent of the amount then in the Holding
Account, prepay the Revolving Loans; provided, that no such prepayment shall be
required if, with respect to any of such four consecutive Borrower Distribution
Dates, the Borrower failed to meet such conditions solely as a result of the
operation of the proviso to such conditions set forth in Section 6.5.

                  (c) The application of any prepayment pursuant to this Section
2.6 shall be made, first, to ABR Loans and second, to Eurodollar Loans. Each
prepayment of the Revolving Loans under this Section 2.6 shall be accompanied by
accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.

                  2.7 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Borrower may
elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the
Administrative Agent at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of
such election, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be
made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower
may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving
the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days' prior irrevocable notice
of such election (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest
Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar
Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt of
any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender
thereof.

                  (a) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the
Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the term "Interest Period" set forth in
Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such
Revolving Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such when
any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and provided, further, that
if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in
this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the
preceding proviso such Revolving Loans shall be automatically


<PAGE>   28
                                                                              23


converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period.
Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
each Lender thereof.

                  2.8 Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and
continuations of Eurodollar Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest
Periods hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such
elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal
amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal
to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more
than three Eurodollar Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.

                  2.9 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan
shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect
thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day
plus the Applicable Margin.

                  (b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

                  (c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any
Revolving Loan shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate
per annum equal to the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant
to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a
portion of any interest payable on any Revolving Loan or any commitment fee or
other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest
at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans plus 2% in
each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such
non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before
judgment).

                  (d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

                  2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees
payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for
the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans the rate of
interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest
thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be)
day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as
practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of each determination
of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate on any Revolving Loan
resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such
change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable
notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the
amount of each such change in interest rate.

                  (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the


<PAGE>   29
                                                                              24


Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the
request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the
quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate
pursuant to Section 2.9(a).

                  2.11 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the
first day of any Interest Period:

                  (a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which
         determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that,
         by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and
         reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for
         such Interest Period, or

                  (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from
         the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be
         determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly
         reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such
         Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Revolving Loans during
         such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the
Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such
notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day
of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Revolving Loans that
were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to
Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z) any outstanding
Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current
Interest Period, to ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the
Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as
such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert any Revolving Loans to
Eurodollar Loans.

                  2.12 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by
the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrower on account
of any commitment fee and any reduction of the Revolving Commitments of the
Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Percentages of the
Lenders.

                  (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower
on account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Loans shall be made pro
rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving
Loans then held by the Lenders.

                  (c) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the
Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or
otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior
to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in
immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such
payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any
payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and
payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to
the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes
due and payable on a day other than a Business


<PAGE>   30
                                                                              25


Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another
calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal
pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at
the then applicable rate during such extension.

                  (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the
amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is
making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative
Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay
to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a
rate equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period
until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative
Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with
respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error. If such Lender's share of such borrowing is not made
available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days
of such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to
recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to
ABR Loans, on demand, from the Borrower.

                  (e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder
that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and
the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares
of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative
Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days of such required date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender
to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence,
such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit
the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

                  2.13 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change
in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or
compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made
subsequent to the date hereof:

                  (i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever
         with respect to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or
         change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect
         thereof (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 2.14 and
         changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender);

                  (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
         held by, deposits or other liabilities


<PAGE>   31
                                                                              26


         in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit
         by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender
         that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar
         Rate hereunder; or

                  (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender,
by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into,
continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any amount receivable
hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall
promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If
any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this
paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.

                  (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of
or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental
Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Lender's or such corporation's capital as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender
or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or such corporation's
policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to
be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request
therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or
amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction.

                  (c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to
the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Revolving Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.

                  2.14 Taxes. (a) All payments made by the Borrower under this
Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding
for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or
hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental
Authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of
net income taxes) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result
of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent or such
Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any
such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender
having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment
under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Credit Document). If any such
non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes")


<PAGE>   32
                                                                              27


or Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, the amounts so payable to the
Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary
to yield to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (after payment of all
Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable
hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement, provided,
however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts
payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes that are
attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (d) of this Section.

                  (b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

                  (c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable
by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to
the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant
Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt
received by the Borrower showing payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay
any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing
authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or
other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a
result of any such failure.

                  (d) Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States (or any
jurisdiction thereof), or any estate or trust that is subject to federal income
taxation regardless of the source of its income (a "Non-U.S. Lender") shall
deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a
Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been
purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or Form
4224, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal
withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to
payments of "portfolio interest", a statement substantially in the form of
Exhibit I and a Form W-8, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors
thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming
complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on
all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before
the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any
Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related
participation). In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms
promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by
such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at
any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any
previously delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of
certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, a Non-U.S. Lender shall
not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this paragraph that such
Non-U.S. Lender is not legally able to deliver.


<PAGE>   33
                                                                              28


                  (e) The agreements in this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Revolving Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.

                  2.15 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender
and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense that such Lender may
sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a
borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the
Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any
prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a
notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the
making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of
an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an
amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would
have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or
continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to
borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the
case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would
have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate
of interest for such Revolving Loans provided for herein (excluding, however,
the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest
(as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender
on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with
leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. A certificate as to any
amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender
shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall
survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Revolving Loans
and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                  2.16 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon
the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.13 or
2.14(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to
designate another lending office for any Revolving Loans affected by such event
with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such
designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause
such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect
or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender
pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.14(a).


                    SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Revolving Loans, the Borrower hereby
represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

                  3.1 Financial Condition. (a) The unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower as of June 30, 1999, and the related unaudited
consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the six-month period ended
on such date, present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the
Borrower as of such date, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, to


<PAGE>   34
                                                                              29


such officer's best knowledge, and the consolidated results of its operations
and its consolidated cash flows for the six-month period then ended (subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments). All such financial statements, including the
related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods involved.

                  (b) The audited balance sheet of each Reporting Subsidiary as
of December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, and the related statements of income
and of cash flows for the fiscal years ended on such dates, reported on by and
accompanied by an unqualified report from an independent certified public
accountant of nationally recognized standing, present fairly the financial
condition of each Reporting Subsidiary as of such date and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the respective fiscal years then ended. The
unaudited balance sheet of each Reporting Subsidiary as of June 30, 1999, and
the related unaudited statements of income and cash flows for the six-month
period ended on such date, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower,
to such officer's best knowledge, present fairly the financial condition of each
Reporting Subsidiary as of such date, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the six-month period then ended (subject to normal year-end
audit adjustments). All such financial statements, including the related
schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied
consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the
aforementioned firm of accountants or Responsible Officer, as the case may be,
and disclosed therein).

                  (c) The unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower
as of June 30, 1999, and the related unaudited consolidating statement of income
for the six-month period ended on such date, certified by a Responsible Officer
of the Borrower, to such officer's best knowledge, present fairly the
consolidating financial condition of the Borrower as of such date, and the
consolidating results of its operations for the six-month period then ended
(subject to normal year-end audit adjustments). All such financial statements,
including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP.

                  (d) None of the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary Holding
Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower has
any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent liabilities or liabilities for
taxes, or any material long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term
commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange
transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not
reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to in this paragraph.
During the period from June 30, 1999 to and including the Closing Date there has
been no Disposition by any of the Borrower, Significant Subsidiary Holding
Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower of
any material part of its business or property.

                  3.2 No Change. Since December 31, 1998 there has been no
development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change.

                  3.3 Existence; Compliance with Law. The Borrower, each
Significant Subsidiary and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and authority, and the legal
right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as
lessee and


<PAGE>   35
                                                                              30


to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified
as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company and in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification
and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that
the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                  3.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
Each Credit Party has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to
make, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it is a party and, in
the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder. Each Credit Party has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of the Credit Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower,
to authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No
consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in
respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in
connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery,
performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Credit
Documents. Each Credit Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf
of each Credit Party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Credit
Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation
of each Credit Party thereto, enforceable against each such Credit Party in
accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by
general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in
equity or at law).

                  3.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the borrowings hereunder and the
use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any Requirement of Law or any
Contractual Obligation of any Credit Party, any Significant Subsidiary or any
other Subsidiary of the Borrower and will not result in, or require, the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or
revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such Contractual Obligation
(other than the Liens created by the Security Documents). No Requirement of Law
or Contractual Obligation applicable to any Credit Party, any Significant
Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower could reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                  3.6 Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of
or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower threatened by or against any of the Borrower, any
Significant Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or against any of
their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Credit
Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) that
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                  3.7 No Default. None of the Borrower, any Significant
Subsidiary, any other Subsidiary of the Borrower nor (to the best knowledge of
the Borrower) any other Project Participant, is in default under or with respect
to any of its Contractual Obligations (including, without limitation, under any
Project Document) in any respect that could reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Change. No Default or Event of Default has occurred


<PAGE>   36
                                                                              31


and is continuing. As of the Closing Date, no "default" or "event of default"
has occurred and is continuing, or any "event of abandonment" or "event of loss"
has occurred, under any of the Financing Documents. As of the Closing Date, no
event or condition is in existence as of the Closing Date that permits, under
any of the Financing Documents, restrictions to be placed on the payment of
dividends or distributions in respect of the equity of any Significant
Subsidiary.

                  3.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. The Borrower and each
Significant Subsidiary has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest
in, all its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in,
all its other property, including all Collateral, except where a failure to hold
such title or interest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except as
permitted by Section 6.2

                  3.9 Taxes. The Borrower, each Significant Subsidiary and each
other Subsidiary of the Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all Federal,
state and other material tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid
all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made
against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges
imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than
any the amount or validity of that are currently being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with
GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower, such Significant
Subsidiary or such other Subsidiary, as the case may be); no tax Lien has been
filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with
respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

                  3.10 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any
Revolving Loans will be used for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock"
within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as
now and from time to time hereafter in effect or for any purpose that violates
the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. If requested by any Lender or
the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the
requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in
Regulation U.

                  3.11 ERISA. Neither a Reportable Event nor an "accumulated
funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on
which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and
each Plan has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of ERISA and the Code. No termination of a Single Employer Plan has occurred,
and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such five-year
period. The present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer
Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the
last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is
made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to
such accrued benefits by a material amount. Neither the Borrower nor any
Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any
Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in a material liability under ERISA, and neither the Borrower nor any Commonly
Controlled Entity would become subject to any material liability under ERISA if
the Borrower or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely
from all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation


<PAGE>   37
                                                                              32


date most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made or
deemed made. No such Multiemployer Plan is in Reorganization or Insolvent.

                  3.12 Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company
Act; Other Regulations. No Credit Party, Significant Subsidiary or other
Subsidiary of the Borrower is (a) an "investment company", or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company", within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) a "holding company," a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company" or an "affiliate" of a "holding company," within
the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. No
Credit Party, Significant Subsidiary or other Subsidiary of the Borrower is
subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than Regulation X of
the Board) that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.

                  3.13 Subsidiaries. (a) Each of the Cogentrix Holdcos is a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower. The Northampton Holdco directly owns a
49% general partnership interest in Northampton (which is expected to be
increased to a 50% general partnership interest by the end of October 1999). The
Indiantown Holdco directly owns a 10% general partnership interest and
indirectly owns a 19.9% limited partnership interest in Indiantown (which
indirectly held limited partnership interest is expected to be increased and
converted to a 40% general partnership interest by the end of October 1999). The
Carneys Point Holdco directly owns a 10% general partnership interest in
Chambers. The Logan Holdco directly owns (A) a 49% general partnership interest
in Logan Generating (which is expected to be increased to a 50% general
partnership interest by the end of October, 1999); (B) a 49% general partnership
interest in Granite (which is expected to be increased to a 50% general
partnership interest by the end of October, 1999), which directly owns a 1%
limited partnership interest in Keystone Urban; and (C) a 49% general
partnership interest in Keystone Cogen (which is expected to be increased to a
50% general partnership interest by the end of October, 1999) which owns a 99%
general partnership interest in Keystone Urban. There are no outstanding
subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or
commitments of any nature relating to any Capital Stock of the Borrower or of
the Cogentrix Holdcos or the Capital Stock owned by the Borrower or any of the
Cogentrix Holdcos in any Significant Subsidiary except as may be provided in the
Transaction Documents provided by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 3.19 hereof.

                  (b) A true and correct list as of the Closing Date of each
Subsidiary of the Borrower, and of each Affiliate of the Borrower holding any
interest, directly or indirectly, in any of the Existing Projects, is attached
hereto as Schedule 3.13.

                  3.14 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans
shall be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Affiliates
in the ordinary course of business.

                  3.15 Accuracy of Information, etc. (a) No statement or
information contained in this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other
document, certificate or statement furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party
to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other
Credit Documents, contained as of the date such statement, information, document
or certificate


<PAGE>   38
                                                                              33


was so furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading. The projections and financial information contained in the materials
referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by
management of the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being
recognized by the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to
future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the
period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the
projected results set forth therein by a material amount. As of the date hereof,
the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Documents are true
and correct in all material respects. There is no fact known to any Credit Party
that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change that
has not been expressly disclosed herein, in the other Credit Documents or in any
other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby and by the other Credit Documents.

                  (b) To the best knowledge of the Borrower, each copy of a
Transaction Document supplied by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 4.1(i) hereof is a true, complete and correct copy thereof
(including all amendments, supplements and other modifications thereto) as of
the Closing Date.

                  3.16 Security Documents. The provisions of the Security
Documents are sufficient to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest
in the Collateral and proceeds thereof to the extent a security interest can be
created therein under the Uniform Commercial Code of the state of New York. In
the case of the "Pledged Stock" as defined in each of the Stock Pledge
Agreements, when stock certificates representing such Pledged Stock are
delivered to the Administrative Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral
described in the Security Documents, when financing statements and other filings
specified on Schedule 3.16 in appropriate form are filed in the offices
specified on Schedule 3.16, the Security Documents shall constitute a fully
perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of
the Credit Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof to the extent a
security interest can be created therein under the Uniform Commercial Code of
the state of New York, as security for the Obligations, in each case prior and
superior in right to any other Person (except, in the case of Collateral other
than Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by Section 6.2).

                  3.17 Solvency. Each Credit Party, each of the Significant
Subsidiaries and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower is, and after giving
effect to the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being incurred in
connection herewith will be Solvent.

                  3.18 Year 2000 Matters. Any reprogramming required to permit
the proper functioning (but only to the extent that such proper functioning
would otherwise be impaired by the occurrence of the year 2000) in and following
the year 2000 of computer systems and other equipment containing embedded
microchips, in either case owned or operated by the Borrower, or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of
the Borrower or otherwise used or relied upon in the operation of any Project
(including any such systems and other equipment supplied by others to the
Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower),
and the testing of all such systems and other equipment


<PAGE>   39
                                                                              34


as so reprogrammed, will be completed by September 30, 1999. The costs to the
Borrower and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary or
any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that have not been incurred as of the date
hereof for such reprogramming and testing and for the other reasonably
foreseeable consequences to them of any improper functioning of such computer
systems and other equipment containing embedded microchips due to the occurrence
of the year 2000 could not reasonably be expected to result in a Default or
Event of Default or to result in a Material Adverse Change. Except for any
reprogramming referred to above, the computer systems used or relied upon in the
operation of any Project are and, with ordinary course upgrading and
maintenance, will continue for the term of this Agreement to be, sufficient for
such operation as currently conducted.

                  3.19 Certain Documents. The Borrower has delivered to the
Administrative Agent a complete and correct copy of each of the Transaction
Documents specified in Schedule 3.19, including all amendments, supplements and
modifications with respect thereto.

                  3.20 Principal Place of Business, Etc. The principal place of
business and chief executive office of the Borrower is located at 1105 North
Market Street, Suite 1108, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801.

                  3.21 Regulatory Status. The Borrower is not a Public Utility.
None of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any Affiliate of
the Administrative Agent or any Lender will be, or will be deemed by any
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction to be, a Public Utility by reason of
(i) the ownership, operation or maintenance of the Projects by the Significant
Subsidiaries, (ii) the making of the Revolving Loans or (iii) any other
transaction contemplated by any of the Credit Documents or any Transaction
Document.


                         SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  4.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement
of each Lender to make the initial Revolving Loan requested to be made by it is
subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of such
Revolving Loan, of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) Credit Agreement; Security Documents; Etc. The
         Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed
         and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and each
         Lender, (ii) the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement, executed and
         delivered by CDH, (iii) the Northampton Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement,
         executed and delivered by the Borrower, (iv) the Logan Holdco Stock
         Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower, (v) an
         Acknowledgment and Consent in the form attached to the Borrower Stock
         Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower, (vi) an
         Acknowledgment and Consent in the form attached to the Northampton
         Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by Northampton
         Holdco, (vii) an Acknowledgment and Consent in the form attached to the
         Logan Holdco Stock Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by Logan
         Holdco, (viii) the Security Deposit Agreement, executed and delivered
         by the Administrative


<PAGE>   40
                                                                              35


         Agent and the Borrower, and (ix) a Revolving Note for each Lender, duly
         completed and executed and delivered by the Borrower.

                  (b) Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received each
         of the financial statements referred to in Section 3.1 and such
         financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the
         Lenders, reflect any Material Adverse Change in the financial condition
         of the Borrower or in the financial condition of any Significant
         Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  (c) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the results of a recent lien search in each of the
         jurisdictions where assets of the Borrower, each Significant Subsidiary
         Holding Company and each other Subsidiary of Borrower are located, and
         such search shall reveal no Liens on any such assets except for Liens
         permitted by Section 6.2.

                  (d) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have
         received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses for which
         invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and
         expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Closing Date.

                  (e) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of the
         Borrower, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
         E, with appropriate insertions and attachments.

                  (f) Legal Opinion. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the legal opinions of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC, and Menaker &
         Herrmann, LLP, counsel to the Borrower, substantially in the form of
         Exhibit F-1 and F-2 respectively. Such legal opinions shall cover such
         other matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

                  (g) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers. The Administrative Agent
         shall have received the certificates representing the shares of Capital
         Stock pledged pursuant to the Stock Pledge Agreements, together with an
         undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a
         duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof.

                  (h) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document
         (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by
         the Security Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the
         Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to
         create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
         Lenders, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior
         and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to
         Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.2), shall be in proper form for
         filing, registration or recordation.

                  (i) Transaction Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received, a true, complete and correct copy of each Transaction
         Document specified in Schedule 3.19.


<PAGE>   41
                                                                              36


                  (j) Financial Projections. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received, with a copy for each Lender, the Required Projections, which
         projections shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the
         Borrower, as being prepared in good faith in full consideration of all
         information known to such officer, after due inquiry, as of the Closing
         Date. The Required Projections shall be prepared in such detail and
         based upon such assumptions as shall be satisfactory to the Lenders.

                  (k) Secretary's Certificate: The Administrative Agent shall
         have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of the
         Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Credit Party dated as of the
         Closing Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true,
         complete and correct copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of
         Directors of such Credit Party (to the extent such resolutions are
         necessary or appropriate in respect of such Credit Party) authorizing
         (i) the execution, delivery and performance of each Credit Document to
         which it is a party, and (ii) that such resolutions have not been
         amended, modified, revoked or rescinded, (B) as to the incumbency and
         specimen signature of each officer executing any Credit Document on
         behalf of such Credit Party, (C) that attached thereto is a true,
         complete and correct copy of the articles of incorporation and by-laws
         of such Credit Party, and (D) as to such other corporate matters and
         documents relating to the transactions contemplated by the Credit
         Documents as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. Such
         certificate and resolutions attached thereto shall be in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  4.2 Conditions to Each Revolving Loan. The agreement of each
Lender to make any Revolving Loan requested to be made by it on any date
(including its initial Revolving Loan) is subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions precedent:

                  (a) Borrowing Request. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received a Borrowing Request for such Revolving Loan, duly executed by
         a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and completed with the
         appropriate insertions and attachments to the satisfaction of the
         Administrative Agent.

                  (b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
         warranties of each Credit Party set forth in each of the Credit
         Documents to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all
         material respects on and as of such date with the same effect as if
         made on and as of such date, except for representations and warranties
         expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case
         such representations and warranties were true and correct in all
         material respects as of such earlier date.

                  (c) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of
         Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after
         giving effect to the extensions of credit requested to be made on such
         date.

                  (d) No Restrictions on Payment of Dividends or Distributions.
         No event or condition shall be in existence permitting, under any of
         the Primary Financing Documents, restrictions to be placed on the
         payment of dividends or distributions in respect of the equity of any
         Primary Significant Subsidiary;


<PAGE>   42
                                                                              37


                  (e) Debt Service Coverage Ratio; Projected Debt Service
         Coverage Ratio. (i) The Debt Service Coverage Ratio as of the most
         recent fiscal quarter end for the four consecutive fiscal quarter
         period then ended shall be greater than 1.50 to 1.00 and (ii) the
         Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal
         quarter end for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period then next
         commencing shall be greater than 1.50 to 1.00; provided, that in the
         event that the conditions of this paragraph (e) have not been met as of
         four or more consecutive fiscal quarter ends, until all such conditions
         are met as of two consecutive fiscal quarter ends thereafter, the
         conditions of this paragraph (e) cannot be deemed satisfied.

Each borrowing of Revolving Loans by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such extension of
credit that the conditions contained in this Section 4.2 have been satisfied.


                        SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving
Commitments remain in effect or any Revolving Loan or other amount is owing to
any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise in respect of any
of the Obligations, the Borrower shall:

                  5.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender:

                  (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days
         after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the
         audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
         Subsidiaries, the audited balance sheet of each Reporting Subsidiary,
         and the unaudited balance sheet of each Significant Subsidiary Holding
         Company, as of the end of such year and the related statements of
         income and cash flows for such year (which shall be unaudited in the
         case of the Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies and audited in the
         case of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the
         Reporting Subsidiaries), setting forth in each case in comparative form
         the figures for the previous year and, in the case of the Significant
         Subsidiary Holding Companies, certified by a Responsible Officer of the
         Borrower, to such officer's best knowledge, as being fairly stated in
         all material respects and, in the case of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries and the Reporting Subsidiaries, reported on
         without a "going concern" or like qualification or exception, or
         qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by independent
         certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

                  (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 60
         days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each
         fiscal year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet
         of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, the unaudited
         balance sheet of each Reporting Subsidiary, and the unaudited balance
         sheet of each Significant Subsidiary Holding Company, as of the end of
         such quarter and the related unaudited statements of income for such
         quarter and related unaudited statements of income and cash flows for
         the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting
         forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous
         year,


<PAGE>   43
                                                                              38


         certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, to such officer's
         best knowledge, as being fairly stated in all material respects
         (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments);

                  (c) as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days
         after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the
         unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such year and the related
         unaudited consolidating statements of income for such year, certified
         by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, to such officer's best
         knowledge, as being fairly stated in all material respects; and

                  (d) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 60
         days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each
         fiscal year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidating balance sheet
         of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such
         quarter and the related unaudited consolidating statements of income
         for the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter,
         certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, to such officer's
         best knowledge, as being fairly stated in all material respects
         (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).

All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material
respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior
periods (except as approved by such accountants or Responsible Officer, as the
case may be, and disclosed therein).

                  5.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (e), to the
relevant Lender):

                  (a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
         referred to in Section 5.1(a), a certificate of the independent
         certified public accountants reporting on such financial statements
         stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge
         was obtained of any Default or Event of Default, except as specified in
         such certificate;

                  (b) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements
         pursuant to Section 5.1, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the
         Borrower stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer's
         knowledge, each Credit Party during such period has observed or
         performed all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied
         every condition, contained in this Agreement and the other Credit
         Documents to which it is a party to be observed, performed or satisfied
         by it, and that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of
         any Default or Event of Default except as specified in such
         certificate;

                  (c) no later than 60 days after the end of each quarterly
         period of each fiscal year (other than the last quarterly period in
         each fiscal year, in which case 120 days), a certificate of a
         Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the Debt Service
         Coverage Ratio for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period most
         recently then ended (or fiscal year then ended, in the case of the
         certificate furnished in respect of the last quarterly period in any
         fiscal year) and the Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio for


<PAGE>   44
                                                                              39


         the four consecutive fiscal quarter period then most recently commenced
         (or fiscal year then commenced, in the case of the certificate
         furnished in respect of the last quarterly period in any fiscal year)
         (assuming that at all times during such period the amount of the Total
         Revolving Loans will be equal to the Total Revolving Loans outstanding
         as of the commencement of such fiscal quarter period, taking into
         account the effect during such period of any requirement to make
         mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section 2.6(a) hereof), together with
         all information and calculations, in reasonable detail, necessary for
         determining such ratios;

                  (d) concurrently with the delivery thereof, a copy of all
         material notices, reports, certificates and other communications
         delivered under any Transaction Document (including all reports of any
         independent engineer) by or to the Borrower or any Significant
         Subsidiary and delivered to the Cogentrix Holdco owing an interest in
         such Significant Subsidiary; and

                  (e) promptly, such additional financial and other information
         as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

                  5.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise
satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may
be, all material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or
validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been
provided on the books of the Borrower .

                  5.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a) Preserve, renew
and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the existence of
each Subsidiary of the Borrower, except, in the case of Subsidiaries that are
not Primary Significant Subsidiaries, to the extent the failure to do so could
not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse
Change, (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, and the
business of each Subsidiary of the Borrower, except, in the case of Subsidiaries
that are not Primary Significant Subsidiaries, to the extent the failure to do
so could not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to result in a Material
Adverse Change, (c) comply, and cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower to comply,
with all of its Contractual Obligations (including all obligations under the
Transaction Documents) and all applicable Requirements of Law, except, in the
case of Subsidiaries that are not Primary Significant Subsidiaries, to the
extent that failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected, in the
aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

                  5.5 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.
(a) Keep, and cause each Cogentrix Holdco to keep, proper books of records and
account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all
Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation
to its business and activities and (b) permit representatives of any Lender to
visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any
of its books and records at any reasonable time and as often as may reasonably
be desired and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and
other condition of the Borrower


<PAGE>   45
                                                                              40


and its Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Borrower and with its
independent certified public accountants.

                  5.6 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender of:

                  (a)  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

                  (b) (i) any default or event of default under any Contractual
         Obligation of the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary or any other
         Subsidiary of the Borrower that could reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Change, (ii) any "Default" or "Event of Default"
         under any of the Financing Documents or (iii) any litigation,
         investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time between the
         Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary, or any other Subsidiary of the
         Borrower and any Governmental Authority which litigation, investigation
         or proceeding could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Change;

                  (c) any material event constituting force majeure under any of
         the Project Documents or any claim by any party to any Project Document
         alleging that a force majeure event thereunder has occurred;

                  (d) any litigation or proceeding affecting any Significant
         Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower which could
         reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;

                  (e) any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower in
         which the amount involved is $100,000 or more and not covered by
         insurance or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought;

                  (f) the following events, as soon as possible and in any event
         within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof:
         (i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan, a
         failure to make any required contribution to a Plan, the creation of
         any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal from, or the
         termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or
         (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action
         by the PBGC or the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any
         Multiemployer Plan with respect to the withdrawal from, or the
         termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Plan; and

Each notice pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence
referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower or the relevant
Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto.

                  5.7 Required Insurance. (a) Required Insurance. (i) Cause each
Significant Subsidiary to maintain in full force and effect at all times the
insurance required to be maintained under the Financing Documents to which such
Significant Subsidiary is a party and (ii) at all times carry and maintain
"single excess of loss" or "stipulated value" insurance in an


<PAGE>   46
                                                                              41


amount equal to 50% of the Total Facility Amount solely for the benefit of, and
payable to, the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties)
providing coverage in the event of a total constructive loss of the Logan
Project or the Indiantown Project following which such Project is not rebuilt
(the proceeds of which, if received by the Borrower, shall be held in trust for
the Administrative Agent as collateral security for the payment of the
Obligations and shall be immediately turned over to the Administrative Agent in
the exact form received, duly indorsed to the Administrative Agent).

                  (b) Policy Provisions. The insurance policy maintained in
accordance with clause (iii) of Section 5.7(a) shall (i) provide that no
cancellation, termination or material change in such insurance shall be
effective until at least 45 days (10 days in the case of non-payment of premium)
after the insurer shall have given written notice thereof to the Administrative
Agent, (ii) shall provide that the loss payees shall have no obligation or
liability for premiums, commissions, assessments or calls in connection with
such insurance; and (iii) shall be in an amount sufficient to prevent any
coinsurance penalty in respect of the insurance policy required to be maintained
pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5.7(a).

                  (c) Reports, Etc. The Borrower will advise the Administrative
Agent in writing promptly of any default in the payment of any premium and of
any other act or omission on the part of the Borrower or any other Person which
may invalidate or render unenforceable, in whole or in part, any insurance being
maintained pursuant to this Section 5.7. The Borrower will also deliver to the
Administrative Agent on or prior to the renewal date of the insurance policy
required to be maintained pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5.7(a),
notification that such insurance has been renewed.

                  (d) Other Insurance. Nothing in this Section 5.7 shall
prohibit the Borrower from maintaining at its expense other insurance on or with
respect to the Projects, naming the Borrower as insured and/or loss payee,
unless such insurance would conflict with or otherwise limit the availability of
insurance required to be maintained under Section 5.7(a); provided that (i) such
insurance shall not reduce the amount of insurance proceeds that would be
payable to the beneficiaries pursuant to the policies of insurance maintained
under Section 5.7(a) and the Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent
prior written notice thereof and (ii) all obligations of the Borrower with
respect to such insurance (on account of premiums, commissions or otherwise)
shall be subordinate to the Obligations on terms and pursuant to documentation
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Nothing in this Section 5.7 shall
prohibit the Administrative Agent from maintaining at its expense other
insurance on or with respect to the Projects, naming the Administrative Agent as
insured and/or loss payee, unless such insurance would conflict with or
otherwise limit the insurance required to be maintained under Section 5.7(a);
provided that such insurance shall not reduce the amount of insurance proceeds
that would be payable to the beneficiaries pursuant to the policies of insurance
maintained under Section 5.7(a) and the Administrative Agent shall have obtained
evidence satisfactory to the Borrower to such effect.

                  (e) No Additional Duty. No provision of this Section 5.7 or
any other provision of this Agreement shall impose on the Administrative Agent
any duty or obligation to verify the existence or adequacy of the insurance
coverage maintained by the Borrower or any of its


<PAGE>   47
                                                                              42


Subsidiaries nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible for any
representations or warranties made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to any insurance company or underwriter.

                  5.8 Employee Plans. For each Plan adopted by the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries, the Borrower and such Subsidiary shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause such Plan to be qualified within the meaning of
Section 401(a) of the Code and to be administered in all material respects in
accordance with the requirements of ERISA and Section 401(a) of the Code.

                  5.9 Indiantown Ownership. Cause the Indiantown Holdco to own,
directly or indirectly, a 50% general partnership interest in Indiantown by
December 31, 1999.

                          SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving
Commitments remain in effect or any Revolving Loan or other amount is owing to
any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise in respect of any
of the Obligations, the Borrower shall not:

                  6.1 Indebtedness. (a) Create, issue, incur, assume, become
liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, or permit any
Significant Subsidiary Holding Company to create, issue, incur, assume, become
liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except, in the case of
the Borrower, Indebtedness incurred under any Credit Document.

                  (b) vote or take any other action to permit (or omit to take
         any action which omission would permit) or permit any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower to vote or take any other action to permit (or omit to take
         any action which omission would permit) any of the Significant
         Subsidiaries to incur any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness created
         under the Financing Documents applicable to such Significant
         Subsidiary, as such Financing Documents are in effect as are in effect
         as of the Closing Date or as permitted to be amended or modified in
         accordance with Section 6.7.

                  6.2 Liens. (a) Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or
permit any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company to create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist, any Lien upon any of its or any Subsidiary of the Borrower's
property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for:

                  (i) Liens for taxes not yet due or that are being contested in
         good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves
         with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or
         such Significant Subsidiary Holding Company, as the case may be, in
         conformity with GAAP; and

                  (ii) in the case of the Borrower, Liens created pursuant to
         the Security Documents.



<PAGE>   48
                                                                              43


                  (b) Vote or take any other action to permit (or omit to take
         any action which omission would permit) or permit any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower to vote or take any other action to permit (or omit to take
         any action which omission would permit) any of the Significant
         Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon
         any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired other than
         Liens created or permitted to exist under the Financing Documents
         applicable to such Significant Subsidiary, as such Financing Documents
         are in effect as of the Closing Date or as permitted to be amended or
         modified in accordance with Section 6.7.

                  6.3 Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, consolidation
or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any
liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of, all or substantially all of its
property or business or permit any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company to
enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or
dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of, all
or substantially all of its property or business.

                  6.4 Disposition of Property. (a) Dispose, or permit any
Significant Subsidiary Holding Company to dispose, of any of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or (b) sell, or permit any Significant
Subsidiary Holding Company or Significant Subsidiary to sell, any shares it owns
of Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or Significant
Subsidiary to any Person.

                  6.5 Restrictions on Withdrawals. Withdraw any funds from any
Account, or allow any of the Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies or
Significant Subsidiaries to make, any payment to any Affiliate of Borrower
(including the payment of any management or other fees) except that on each
Borrower Distribution Date the Borrower shall be permitted to make withdrawals
("Permitted Withdrawals") from the Holding Account in an amount not to exceed
the cash available in the Holding Account at such time if:

                  (a)      the Debt Service Coverage Ratio as of the most recent
                           fiscal quarter end for the four consecutive fiscal
                           quarter period then ended shall be greater than 1.50
                           to 1.00, and the Projected Debt Service Coverage
                           Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for
                           the four consecutive fiscal quarter period then next
                           commencing, shall be greater than 1.50 to 1.00;

                  (b)      no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
                           and then be continuing; and

                  (c)      no event or condition shall be in existence
                           permitting, under any of the Primary Financing
                           Documents, restrictions to be placed on the payment
                           of dividends or distributions in respect of the
                           equity of any Primary Significant Subsidiary;

provided, that in the event that the conditions of clause (a) above have not
been met as of the four or more consecutive fiscal quarter ends, until all such
conditions are met as of two


<PAGE>   49
                                                                              44


consecutive fiscal quarter ends thereafter, the conditions of clause (a) cannot
be deemed satisfied.

                  6.6 Investments. Make, or permit any Significant Subsidiary
Holding Company to make, any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of
guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase any Capital
Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets
constituting a business unit of, or make any other investment in, any Person
(all of the foregoing, "Investments"), except:

                  (a) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of
         business;

                  (b)  investments in Cash Equivalents;

                  (c) to the extent otherwise not prohibited hereunder, capital
         contributions, advances and loans by the Borrower to any Significant
         Subsidiary Holding Company or by any Significant Subsidiary Holding
         Company of the Borrower to any other Significant Subsidiary Holding
         Company.

                  6.7 Modifications of Certain Documents; Additional Contracts.
Without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, vote or take any
other action to permit (or omit to take any action which omission would permit)
or permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to vote or take any other action to
permit (or omit to take any action which omission would permit) any Significant
Subsidiary to (a) enter into or otherwise consent or agree to any termination or
assignment of, or any significant or material amendment, supplement or
modification of or waiver under, any of the Transaction Documents in respect of
any Project, (b) enter into or otherwise consent or agree to any significant or
material Transaction Document not in effect on the Closing Date or any
refinancing in respect of any Project or (c) consolidate, merge or amalgamate
with any other entity, dissolve itself, liquidate all or substantially all of
its assets or sell, other than in the ordinary course of business, any
substantial part of its assets or any assets otherwise comprising part of any
Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries may vote or take any action to permit (or omit to take any action
which action would permit) any of the Significant Subsidiaries (a) to amend,
supplement or otherwise modify, or grant any waiver under, any Transaction
Document or (b) enter into or otherwise consent or agree to any significant or
material Transaction Document not in effect on the Closing Date or any
refinancing in respect of any Project without any Lender consent provided that
(i) such amendment, supplement, modification, waiver, new Transaction Document
or refinancing is permitted under the Financing Documents in respect of such
Project; (ii) the Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders with at least 30 days' prior written notice of such amendment,
supplement, modification, waiver, new Transaction Document or refinancing; and
(iii) at the time it shall have given such notice, a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower shall have certified in writing to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders that, based on projections reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent, such amendment, supplement, modification, waiver, new Transaction
Document or refinancing is not reasonably likely (x) to cause the Projected Debt
Service Coverage Ratio either (A) to diminish by more than 5% from the otherwise
then Projected Debt Service Coverage Ratio or (B) to be equal to or less than
1.50 to 1.00, in either case for any fiscal year or portion thereof


<PAGE>   50
                                                                              45


(commencing with the fiscal year in which such amendment, supplement,
modification, waiver, new Transaction Document or refinancing is to take effect)
remaining through to the then current Revolving Commitment Termination Date, or
(y) to result in a Material Adverse Change or a Default or Event of Default.

                  6.8 Transactions with Affiliates. Will not itself, and will
not permit any of its Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies to sell, lease or
otherwise transfer any property or assets to (other than the payment of or
distribution of dividends in respect of its Capital Stock) or purchase, lease or
otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other
transaction (including any transaction involving the rendering of any services
or the payment of any management, advisory or other fee except where all such
fees and any other amounts are expressly payable solely from cash received by
the Borrower in respect of Permitted Withdrawals) with, any of its Affiliates.

                  6.9 Sales and Leasebacks. Enter into any arrangement with any
Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiary Holding Companies of real or personal property that has been or is to
be sold or transferred by the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary Holding
Company to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to
be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental
obligations of the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary Holding Company.

                  6.10 Changes in Fiscal Periods; Changes in Name; etc. (a)
Permit the fiscal year of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary Holding
Company to end on a day other than December 31 or change the Borrower's or any
Significant Subsidiary Holding Company's method of determining fiscal quarters.

                  (b) Change the location of its chief executive office or
principal place of business or the office where it keeps its records, unless the
Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent at least 60 days' prior
written notice thereof and all reasonable action requested by the Administrative
Agent or necessary or advisable in the Administrative Agent's opinion to protect
and perfect the liens and security interests created by the Security Documents
shall have been taken.

                  (c) Change or permit any of the Significant Subsidiary Holding
Companies to change the Borrower's or such Significant Subsidiary Holding
Company's name, identity or partnership or corporate, as the case may be,
structure unless the Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent at least
60 days' prior written notice thereof and all reasonable action requested by the
Administrative Agent or necessary or advisable in the Administrative Agent's
opinion to protect and perfect the liens and security interests created by the
Security Documents shall have been taken.

                  6.11 Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or suffer to exist or
become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of the
Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company to create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its properties or revenues, whether now
directly or indirectly owned or hereafter acquired.


<PAGE>   51
                                                                              46


                  6.12 Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions. Enter into
or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction
on the ability of any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or any Significant
Subsidiary to (a)(i) declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment on
account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the
purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any of its
Capital Stock whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other
distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash
or property or in obligations of such Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or
Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to
the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) make loans or advances
to, or other Investments in, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the
Borrower or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for such encumbrances or restrictions
existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing under the Credit
Documents and (ii) any restrictions existing under the Transaction Documents.

                  6.13 Lines of Business. Enter into any business, either
directly or indirectly through any Subsidiary, except for the direct or indirect
ownership of interests in the Existing Projects. Permit any Significant
Subsidiary Holding Company or any Significant Subsidiary to enter into any
business, either directly or through any Subsidiary, except, in the case of the
Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies, for the direct or indirect ownership
of interests in the Significant Subsidiaries and, in the case of the Significant
Subsidiaries, its ownership of the Projects.

                  6.14 Leases. (a) Except as expressly permitted under the
applicable Financing Documents, permit any of the Significant Subsidiaries to
enter into or become liable under, any agreement for the lease, hire or use of
any real property or of any personal property.

                  (b) Enter into or be or become liable under, or permit any of
its Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies to enter into or be or become
liable under, any agreement for the lease, hire or use of any real property or
of any personal property; provided, that the Borrower or any such Significant
Subsidiary Holding Company may enter into or become liable under any such
agreement so long as the aggregate expense to the Borrower and such Significant
Subsidiary Holding Companies under all such agreements is not greater than
$200,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower and such agreement is not otherwise
prohibited hereunder.

                  6.15 Guarantee Obligations. Create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist, or permit any of its Significant Subsidiary Holding Companies or
Significant Subsidiaries to create, incur or suffer to exist, any Guarantee
Obligation except in the case of any Significant Subsidiary, as permitted under
the applicable Financing Documents .

                  6.16 Debt Service Coverage Ratio. Permit the Debt Service
Coverage Ratio, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to be
less than 1.40 to 1.00 for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period then
ending.



<PAGE>   52
                                                                              47


                          SECTION 7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                  If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

                  (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any
         Revolving Loan when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or the
         Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Revolving Loan, or any
         other amount payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document,
         within three days after any such interest or other amount becomes due
         in accordance with the terms hereof; or

                  (b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any
         Credit Party herein or in any other Credit Document or that is
         contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement
         furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement
         or any such other Credit Document shall prove to have been inaccurate
         in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

                  (c) any Credit Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any agreement contained in Section 5.4(a), Section
         5.6(a) or Section 6 of this Agreement; or

                  (d) any Credit Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any
         other Credit Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through
         (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a
         period of 30 days after notice to the Borrower from the Administrative
         Agent; or

                  (e) any "Event of Default" shall have occurred and be
         continuing under any of the Financing Documents or any Project Loss
         Event shall have occurred with respect to any Project; provided that no
         such "Event of Default" under the Financing Documents of any
         Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or Project Loss Event with respect
         to any Non-Primary Project shall constitute an Event of Default under
         this clause (e) unless there is also in existence either (x) such an
         "Event of Default" under the Financing Documents of the other
         Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or Project Loss Event with respect
         to the other Non-Primary Project or (y) a default of any of the types
         described below in clause (f), (m) or (n) of this Section 7 with
         respect to the other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or other
         Non-Primary Project, as the case may be; or

                  (f) the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company
         or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower shall (i) default in
         making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (excluding the
         Revolving Loans) on the scheduled or original due date with respect
         thereto after giving effect to all grace periods, if any, in respect
         thereof provided in the instrument or agreement under which such
         Indebtedness was created; or (ii) default in making any payment of any
         interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any,
         provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness
         was created; or (iii) default in the observance or performance of any
         other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or
         contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or
         relating thereto, or any


<PAGE>   53
                                                                              48


         other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default
         or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or
         beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of
         such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if
         required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity
         or (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee
         Obligation) to become payable; provided that no default described above
         with respect to any Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary shall constitute
         an Event of Default under this clause (f) unless there is also in
         existence either (x) a default described above in this clause (f) or in
         clause (m) or (n) of this Section 7 with respect to the other
         Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or other Non-Primary Project, as the
         case may be, or (y) an "Event of Default" under the Financing Documents
         of the other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or a Project Loss Event
         with respect to the Non-Primary Project of such other Non-Primary
         Significant Subsidiary; or

                  (g) (i) the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary Holding
         Company or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence any case,
         proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any
         jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for
         relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a
         bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement,
         adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other
         relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a
         receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for
         it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower,
         any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or any Significant
         Subsidiary shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its
         creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower, any
         Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or any Significant Subsidiary
         any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause
         (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any
         such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed,
         undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall
         be commenced against the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary Holding
         Company or any Significant Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other
         action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
         distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its
         assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that
         shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending
         appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower, any
         Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or any Significant Subsidiary of
         the Borrower shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its
         consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth
         in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower, any
         Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or any Significant Subsidiary
         shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing
         its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

                  (h) (i) any Person shall engage in any "prohibited
         transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
         Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
         defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist
         with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan
         shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled
         Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or
         proceedings shall commence to have a


<PAGE>   54
                                                                              49


         trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to
         terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or
         commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is, in the
         reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, likely to result in the
         termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any
         Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA,
         (v) the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the
         reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders is likely to, incur any
         liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or
         Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or
         condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case
         in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition, together
         with all other such events or conditions, if any, could, in the sole
         judgment of the Required Lenders, reasonably be expected to result in a
         Material Adverse Change; or

                  (i) Cogentrix Energy shall cease to own and control, of record
         and beneficially, directly or indirectly through one or more Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries, 100% of each class of outstanding Capital Stock of
         the Borrower free and clear of all Liens (except Liens created by the
         Security Documents); or

                  (j) any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason,
         to be in full force and effect, or any Credit Party shall so assert, or
         any Lien created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be
         enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created
         thereby; or

                  (k) (i) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered
         against any Significant Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a
         liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the
         relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of $3,000,000 or
         more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated,
         discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the
         entry thereof; or (ii) one or more judgments or decrees shall be
         entered against the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary Holding
         Company or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (excluding the Significant
         Subsidiaries) involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or fully
         covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has
         acknowledged coverage) of $250,000 or more, and all such judgments or
         decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded
         pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

                  (l) the Borrower shall transfer, directly or indirectly, any
         of its interests in any Significant Subsidiary Holding Company or any
         Significant Subsidiary; or

                  (m) any Significant Subsidiary shall fail to perform or
         observe in any material respect the terms or conditions of any Project
         Document to which it is a party or shall materially breach or otherwise
         be in default under any such Project Document and such failure, breach
         or default shall not be remediable or, if remediable, shall (x)
         continue unremedied after the last day of the applicable cure period,
         if any, set forth in the applicable Project Document or (y) not be
         waived (if applicable, in accordance with this Agreement) by the
         appropriate party; provided, however, that any such failure, breach or
         default by a Significant Subsidiary shall not constitute an Event of
         Default under this


<PAGE>   55
                                                                              50


         Section 7(m) so long as such failure, breach or default (A) could not
         reasonably be expected to result in Material Adverse Change, (B) has
         not caused nor could it reasonably be expected to cause the termination
         of any contract for the sale of any Project's electrical output and (C)
         has not caused nor could it reasonably be expected to cause any Project
         (other than the Northampton Project) to fail to be a Qualifying
         Facility at any time; and, provided further, that no such failure,
         breach or default described above with respect to a Non-Primary
         Significant Subsidiary shall constitute an Event of Default under this
         clause (m) unless there is also in existence either (x) a default
         described above in this clause (m) or in clause (f) or (n) of this
         Section 7 with respect to the other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary
         or other Non-Primary Project, as the case may be, or (y) an "Event of
         Default" under the Financing Documents of the other Non-Primary
         Significant Subsidiary or a Project Loss Event with respect to the
         Non-Primary Project of such other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary;
         or

                  (n) (i) if any material provision of any Project Document
         shall at any time for any reason cease to be valid and binding or in
         full force and effect; or (ii) if any material provision of any Project
         Document shall be declared to be null and void or the validity or
         enforceability thereof shall be contested by any party thereto or any
         Governmental Authority; or (iii) any counterparty to any Project
         Document shall deny that it has any further liability or obligation
         under any Project Document to which it is a party, except upon
         fulfillment of its obligations thereunder; provided, however, that any
         such event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall not
         constitute an Event of Default under this Section 7(n) so long as such
         event (A) could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Change (B) has not caused nor could it reasonably be expected
         to cause the termination of any contract for the sale of any Project's
         electrical output and (C) has not caused nor could it reasonably be
         expected to cause any Project (other than the Northampton Project) to
         fail to be a Qualifying Facility at any time; and, provided further,
         that no such event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above
         described above with respect to any Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary
         shall constitute an Event of Default under this clause (n) unless there
         is also in existence either (x) a default described above in this
         clause (n) or in clause (f) or (m) of this Section 7 with respect to
         the other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or other Non-Primary
         Project, as the case may be, or (y) an "Event of Default" under the
         Financing Documents of the other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary or
         a Project Loss Event with respect to the Non-Primary Project of such
         other Non-Primary Significant Subsidiary;

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (g) above with respect to the Borrower,
automatically the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate and the
Revolving Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts
owing under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall immediately
become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default,
either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of
the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the
Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower
declare the Revolving Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the
Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of
the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the


<PAGE>   56
                                                                              51


Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower,
declare the Revolving Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all
other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to be
due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and
payable. Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment,
demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by
the Borrower.


                              SECTION 8. THE AGENT

                  8.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and
appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such party under this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on
its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents
and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated
to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and
no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or
otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

                  8.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute
any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents by or
through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel
concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall
not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys
in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                  8.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent
nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be
taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Credit Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found
by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to
have resulted from its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful
misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any
recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Credit Party or
any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document or
in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided
for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with,
this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for the value, validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any other Credit Document or for any failure of any Credit Party a party thereto
to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent
shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to
the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or
conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the
properties, books or records of any Credit Party.


<PAGE>   57
                                                                              52


                  8.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any
instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit,
letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document
or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and
statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent
accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Revolving Note as the
owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment,
negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative
Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing
to take any action under this Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it
shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if
so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall
first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all
liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Required
Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request
and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon
all the Lenders and all future holders of the Revolving Notes.

                  8.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a
Lender, or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or
Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the
event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative
Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall
take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be
reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this
Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent
shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not
be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the
best interests of the Lenders.

                  8.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender
expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have
made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the
Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a
Credit Party or any affiliate of a Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute
any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each
Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and
their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Revolving Loans hereunder
and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will,
independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other
Lender, and based on such documents and information as it


<PAGE>   58
                                                                              53


shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis,
appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary
to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and their affiliates.
Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be
furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations,
property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of
any Credit Party or any affiliate of a Credit Party that may come into the
possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

                  8.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the
Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by
the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so),
ratably according to their respective Percentages in effect on the date on which
indemnification is sought under this Section from and against any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time
(whether before or after the payment of the Revolving Loans) be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to
or arising out of, the Revolving Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other
Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or
therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken
or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the
foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any
portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and
nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted
from the Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and
the repayment of the Revolving Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                  8.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Administrative Agent
and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage
in any kind of business with any Credit Party as though the Administrative Agent
was not the Administrative Agent. With respect to its Revolving Loans made or
renewed by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers
under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as any Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity.

                  8.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days' notice to the Lenders and the
Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, then the Required Lenders shall
appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, whereupon such
successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the
Administrative Agent, and the term "Administrative Agent" shall mean such
successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former
Administrative Agent's rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall
be terminated, without any other


<PAGE>   59
                                                                              54


or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of
the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Revolving Notes. If no
successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date
that is 10 days following a retiring Administrative Agent's notice of
resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless
thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the
duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the
Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any
retiring Administrative Agent's resignation as Administrative Agent, the
provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

                  8.10 Authorization to Release Liens. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein or in any other Credit Document, the
Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each of the Lenders
(without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly
required by Section 10.1) to take any action requested by the Borrower having
the effect of releasing any Collateral to the extent necessary to permit
consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document or that
has been consented to in accordance with Section 9.1.


                            SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS

                  9.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other
Credit Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or
modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1. The
Required Lenders and each Credit Party to the relevant Credit Document may, or,
with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and
each Credit Party to the relevant Credit Document may, from time to time, (a)
enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the
other Credit Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents or changing in any manner the rights of
the Lenders or of the Credit Parties hereunder or thereunder, (b) waive, on such
terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the
case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any Default or Event of Default and
its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment,
supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the
final scheduled date of maturity of any Revolving Loan, or increase the amount
or extend the expiration date of any Lender's Percentage, in each case without
the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; (ii) amend, modify or
waive any provision of this Section 9.1 or reduce the percentage specified in
the definition of Required Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by the
Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, in each
case without the written consent of all Lenders; or (iii) amend, modify or waive
any provision of Section 8 without the written consent of the Administrative
Agent.

                  Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or
modification under this Section 10.1 shall apply equally to each of the Lenders
and shall be binding upon the Credit


<PAGE>   60
                                                                              55


Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the
Revolving Notes. In the case of any waiver, the Credit Parties, the Lenders and
the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and any Default or Event of
Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such
waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or
impair any right consequent thereon.

                  9.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when
received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower, the Administrative
Agent, and as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) in the case of the Lenders, or to
such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties
hereto:

         The Borrower:             Cogentrix Eastern America, Inc.
                                   1105 North Market Street, Suite 1108
                                   Wilmington, DE   19801
                                   Attention:     President
                                   with copy to:  General Counsel
                                   Telecopy:      302-427-9275
                                   Telephone:     302-427-7383

                                   With  copy to:
                                   9405 Arrowpoint Boulevard
                                   Charlotte, NC  28273-8110
                                   Attention:     President
                                   with copy to:  General Counsel
                                   Telecopy:      704-529-5313
                                   Telephone:     704-525-3800

         The Administrative Agent: Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch
                                   75 Wall Street
                                   New York, NY  10005-2888
                                   Attention:     Global Power & Utilities Group
                                   Telecopy:      212-429-2081
                                   Telephone:     212-429-2203

                                   With copy to:
                                   Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch
                                   75 Wall Street
                                   New York, NY  10005-2888
                                   Attention:     Project Finance Portfolio
                                                  Management Group
                                   Telecopy:      212-429-2081
                                   Telephone:     212-429-2203


<PAGE>   61
                                                                              56


provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.

                  9.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and
no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender,
any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Credit
Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or
privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges
provided by law.

                  9.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Credit Documents and
in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the making of the Revolving Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.

                  9.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrower agrees (a) to
pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and execution
of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith
or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording fees and
expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the
Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the
Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such
other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to
pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other
documents, including the fees and disbursements of counsel (including the
allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel
to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the
Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and
any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying,
stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be
payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or
administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment,
supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of,
this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents, and (d)
to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their
respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling
persons (each, an "Indemnitee") harmless from and against any and all other
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect
to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this
Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents, including
any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Revolving Loans or
the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law
applicable to the


<PAGE>   62
                                                                              57


Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or either of the Projects and the
reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel in connection with claims, actions
or proceedings by any Indemnitee against any Credit Party under any Credit
Document (all the foregoing in this paragraph (d), collectively, the
"Indemnified Liabilities"), provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation
hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the
extent such Indemnified Liabilities are found by a final and nonappealable
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Without limiting the
foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower agrees
not to assert and to cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower not to assert, and
hereby waives and agrees to cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower to so waive,
all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all
claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and
expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws,
that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee. All
amounts due under this Section 9.5 shall be payable promptly after written
demand therefor. Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 9.5
shall be submitted to the Borrower, at the address of the Borrower set forth in
Section 9.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated
by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The agreements
in this Section 9.5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
repayment of the Revolving Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                  9.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, all future holders of the
Revolving Notes and their respective successors and assigns, except that the
Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the prior written consent of each Lender.

                  (b) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, in
accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks, financial
institutions or other entities (each, a "Participant") participating interests
in any Revolving Loan owing to such Lender, any Revolving Commitment of such
Lender or any other interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents. In the event of any such sale by a Lender of a participating interest
to a Participant, such Lender's obligations under this Agreement to the other
parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain
solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender shall remain the
holder of any Revolving Note for all purposes under this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall continue
to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. In
no event shall any Participant under any such participation have any right to
approve any amendment or waiver of any provision of any Credit Document, or any
consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, except to the extent
that such amendment, waiver or consent would reduce the principal of, or
interest on, the Revolving Loans or any fees payable hereunder, in each case to
the extent subject to such participation. The Borrower agrees that if amounts
outstanding under this Agreement are due or unpaid, or shall have been declared
or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
each Participant shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, be
deemed to have the right of setoff in respect of its participating interest in
amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent


<PAGE>   63
                                                                              58


as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a
Lender under this Agreement, provided that, in purchasing such participating
interest, such Participant shall be deemed to have agreed to share with the
Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in Section 10.7(a) as fully as if it
were a Lender hereunder. The Borrower also agrees that each Participant shall be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 with respect to its
participation in the Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Loans outstanding
from time to time as if it was a Lender; provided that, in the case of Section
2.14, such Participant shall have complied with the requirements of said Section
and provided, further, that no Participant shall be entitled to receive any
greater amount pursuant to any such Section than the transferor Lender would
have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation
transferred by such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such transfer
occurred.

                  (c) Any Lender (an "Assignor") may, in accordance with
applicable law, at any time and from time to time assign to any Lender or, with
the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent may be withheld in its
sole discretion), to an additional bank, financial institution or other entity
(an "Assignee") all or any part of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, executed by such Assignee,
such Assignor and any other Person whose consent is required pursuant to this
paragraph, and delivered to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance and
recording in the Register; provided that no such assignment to an Assignee
(other than any Lender) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of less than
$5,000,000 (other than in the case of an assignment of all of a Lender's
interests under this Agreement), unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative
Agent. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after
the effective date determined pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, (x)
the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in
such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
hereunder with a Percentage as set forth therein, and (y) the Assignor
thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, be
released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance covering all of an Assignor's rights and obligations
under this Agreement, such Assignor shall cease to be a party hereto).

                  (d) The Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the Borrower,
maintain at its address referred to in Section 10.2 a copy of each Assignment
and Acceptance delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, the Percentage and the
Revolving Commitment of, and the principal amount of the Revolving Loans owing
to, each Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be
conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, each other
Credit Party, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of the Revolving Loans and
any Revolving Notes evidencing the Revolving Loans recorded therein for all
purposes of this Agreement. Any assignment of any Revolving Loan or other
obligation hereunder shall be effective only upon appropriate entries with
respect thereto being made in the Register (and each Revolving Note shall
expressly so provide). Any assignment or transfer of all or part of a Revolving
Loan evidenced by a Revolving Note shall be registered on the Register only upon
surrender for registration of assignment or transfer of the Revolving Note
evidencing such Revolving Loan, accompanied by a duly executed Assignment and
Acceptance, and thereupon one or more new Revolving Notes shall be issued to the
designated Assignee.


<PAGE>   64
                                                                              59


                  (e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by an Assignor, an Assignee and any other Person whose consent is required by
Section 9.6(c), together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a
registration and processing fee of $4,000, the Administrative Agent shall (i)
promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the information
contained therein in the Register on the effective date determined pursuant
thereto.

                  (f) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement
acknowledge that the provisions of this Section 9.6 concerning assignments
relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not prohibit
assignments creating security interests, including any pledge or assignment by a
Lender of any Revolving Loan or Revolving Note to any Federal Reserve Bank in
accordance with applicable law.

                  9.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this
Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular
Lender, if any Lender (a "Benefitted Lender") shall receive any payment of all
or part of the Obligations owing to it, or receive any collateral in respect
thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or
proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 7(g), or otherwise), in a
greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other
Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such
Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating
interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or
shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as
shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment
or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided,
however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is
thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be
rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such
recovery, but without interest.

                  (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders
provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the
Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent
permitted by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the
Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any
currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in
each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or
unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency
thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower. Each Lender agrees
promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such
setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give
such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

                  9.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or
more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts,
and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this
Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as


<PAGE>   65
                                                                              60


delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this
Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.

                  9.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

                  9.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Credit
Documents represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no
promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set
forth or referred to herein or in the other Credit Documents.

                  9.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  9.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. The Borrower hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally:

                  (a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or
         proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to
         which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment
         in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the
         courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States for
         the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any
         thereof;

                  (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought
         in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter
         have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or
         that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and
         agrees not to plead or claim the same;

                  (c) agrees that service of process in any such action or
         proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or
         certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
         prepaid, to the Borrower at its address set forth in Section 9.2 or at
         such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been
         notified pursuant thereto;

                  (d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to
         effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
         limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and


<PAGE>   66
                                                                              61


                  (e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any
         right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding
         referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or
         consequential damages.

                  9.13 Acknowledgments. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

                  (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
         execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit
         Documents;

                  (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any
         fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or
         in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents,
         and the relationship among the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one
         hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or
         therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

                  (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit
         Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions
         contemplated hereby among the Lenders, the Secured Parties or among the
         Borrower and the Secured Parties.

                  9.14 Confidentiality. The Administrative Agent and each Lender
agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any
Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Credit Party
as confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative
Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the
Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any of their respective affiliates,
(b) to any Transferee or prospective Transferee that agrees to comply with the
provisions of this Section, (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys,
accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates,
(d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to
any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be
required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do
so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been
publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that
requires access to information about a Lender's investment portfolio in
connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document.

                  9.15 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY
IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

<PAGE>   67
                                                                              62


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.


                                     COGENTRIX EASTERN AMERICA, INC.

                                     By: /s/ Thomas F. Schwartz
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name: Thomas F. Schwartz
                                        Title: President


                                     DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                        as the Administrative Agent and a Lender


                                     By: /s/ Andrew Schroeder
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name: Andrew Schroeder
                                        Title: Vice President


                                     By: /s/ Robert F. Moyle
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name: Robert F. Moyle
                                        Title: Vice President



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                         BORROWER STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

         PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of September 8, 1999, made by Cogentrix
Delaware Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor") in favor of
Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity,
the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders referred to below.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 8,
1999 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement"), among Cogentrix Eastern America Inc. (the "Borrower"), the
several banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto
(the "Lenders") and Dresdner, as Administrative Agent, the Lenders have
severally agreed to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth therein, to be evidenced by the Revolving
Notes issued by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement;

         WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders
to make their respective Revolving Loans to the Borrower that the Pledgor shall
have executed and delivered this Pledge Agreement to the Administrative Agent
for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit
Agreement);

         WHEREAS, the Pledgor is the parent of the Borrower, and it is to the
advantage of the Pledgor that the Lenders make the Revolving Loans to the
Borrower; and

         WHEREAS, the Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the shares of
Pledged Stock (as hereinafter defined).

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to
induce the Lenders to make their respective Revolving Loans under the Credit
Agreement, the Pledgor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as
follows:

         1. Defined Terms. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in
the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in
the Credit Agreement.

         (b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

         "Agreement": this Pledge Agreement, as the same may be amended,
modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time.


<PAGE>   2
                                                                               2


         "Code": the Uniform Commercial Code from time to time in effect in the
State of New York.

         "Collateral": the Pledged Stock and all Proceeds.

         "Issuer": the Borrower.

         "Pledged Stock": the shares of capital stock listed on Schedule 1
hereto, together with all stock certificates, options or rights of any nature
whatsoever that may be issued or granted by the Borrower to the Pledgor while
this Agreement is in effect.

         "Proceeds": all "proceeds" as such term is defined in Section 9-306(1)
of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York on the date
hereof and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or
other income from the Pledged Stock, collections thereon or distributions with
respect thereto.

         "Secured Obligations": the collective reference to (a) the Obligations
and (b) all obligations and liabilities of the Pledgor which may arise under or
in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document to which the
Pledgor is a party, whether on account of reimbursement obligations, fees,
indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all
fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the other
Secured Parties that are required to be paid by the Pledgor pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document to which the Grantor is a
party).

         "Securities Act": the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time.

         (c) The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and section and paragraph
references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

         (d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

         2. Pledge; Grant of Security Interest. The Pledgor hereby delivers to
the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, all
the Pledged Stock and hereby grants to Administrative Agent, for the ratable
benefit of the Secured Parties, a first security interest in the Collateral, as
collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due
(whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Secured
Obligations.

         3. Stock Powers. Concurrently with the delivery to the Administrative
Agent of each certificate representing one or more shares of Pledged Stock to
the Administrative Agent, the Pledgor shall deliver an undated stock power
covering such certificate, duly executed in blank by the Pledgor with, if the
Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed.

<PAGE>   3
                                                                               3



         4. Representations and Warranties. The Pledgor represents and warrants
that:

         (a) The Pledgor has the corporate power and authority and the legal
right to execute and deliver, to perform its obligations under, and to grant the
security interest in the Collateral pursuant to, this Agreement and has taken
all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and
performance of, and grant of the security interest in the Collateral pursuant
to, this Agreement.

         (b) This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Pledgor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and upon delivery to the
Administrative Agent of the stock certificates evidencing the Pledged Stock, the
security interest created pursuant to this Agreement will constitute a valid,
perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral, enforceable in
accordance with its terms against all creditors of the Pledgor and any Persons
purporting to purchase any Collateral from the Pledgor, except in each case as
enforceability may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing.

         (c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not
violate any provision of any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of the
Pledgor and will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of
the properties or revenues of the Pledgor pursuant to any Requirement of Law or
Contractual Obligation of the Pledgor, except the security interest created by
this Agreement.

         (d) No consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in
respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other
Person (including, without limitation, any stockholder or creditor of the
Pledgor), is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance,
validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

         (e) No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Pledgor, threatened by or against the Pledgor or against any of its properties
or revenues with respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         (f) The shares of Pledged Stock constitute all the issued and
outstanding shares of all classes of the capital stock of the Borrower.

         (g) All the shares of the Pledged Stock have been duly and validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

         (h) The Pledgor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and
marketable title to, the Pledged Stock, free of any and all Liens or options in
favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except the security interest created
by this Agreement.


<PAGE>   4
                                                                               4


         5. Covenants. The Pledgor covenants and agrees with the Administrative
Agent and the other Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this
Agreement until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created
hereby are released:

         (a) If the Pledgor shall, as a result of its ownership of the Pledged
Stock, become entitled to receive or shall receive any stock certificate
(including, without limitation, any certificate representing a stock dividend or
a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of
capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option
or rights, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in
exchange for any shares of the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof,
the Pledgor shall accept the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent and
the other Secured Parties, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent
and the other Secured Parties and deliver the same forthwith to the
Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by the Pledgor to
the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power
covering such certificate duly executed in blank by the Pledgor and with, if the
Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the
Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral
security for the Secured Obligations. Any sums paid upon or in respect of the
Pledged Stock upon the liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower shall be paid
over to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional
collateral security for the Secured Obligations, and in case any distribution of
capital shall be made on or in respect of the Pledged Stock or any property
shall be distributed upon or with respect to the Pledged Stock pursuant to the
recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of the Borrower or pursuant
to the reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall be delivered to
the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral
security for the Secured Obligations. If any sums of money or property so paid
or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock shall be received by the Pledgor,
the Pledgor shall, until such money or property is paid or delivered to the
Administrative Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the Secured
Parties, segregated from other funds of the Pledgor, as additional collateral
security for the Secured Obligations.

         (b) Without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, the
Pledgor will not (1) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, the
Borrower to issue any stock or other equity securities of any nature or to issue
any other securities convertible into or granting the right to purchase or
exchange for any stock or other equity securities of any nature of the Borrower,
(2) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any
option with respect to, the Collateral, (3) create, incur or permit to exist any
Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of
the Collateral, or any interest therein, except for the security interest
created by this Agreement or (4) enter into any agreement or undertaking
restricting the right or ability of the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent to
sell, assign or transfer any of the Collateral.

         (c) The Pledgor shall maintain the security interest created by this
Agreement as a first, perfected security interest and shall defend such security
interest against claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever. At any time and
from time to time, upon the written request of the


<PAGE>   5
                                                                               5


Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of the Pledgor, the Pledgor will
promptly and duly execute and deliver such further instruments and documents and
take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for
the purposes of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and
of the rights and powers herein granted. If any amount payable under or in
connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any
promissory note, other instrument or chattel paper, such note, instrument or
chattel paper shall be immediately delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly
endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as
Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

         (d) The Pledgor shall pay, and save the Administrative Agent and the
other Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or
resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other
taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of
the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

         6. Cash Dividends; Voting Rights. Unless an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice
to the Pledgor of the Administrative Agent's intent to exercise its
corresponding rights pursuant to Section 7 below, the Pledgor shall be permitted
to receive all cash dividends paid in the normal course of business of the
Borrower and consistent with past practice, to the extent permitted in and
subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the Security Deposit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents (including, without limitation, Section
6.5 of the Credit Agreement), in respect of the Pledged Stock and to exercise
all voting and corporate rights with respect to the Pledged Stock; provided,
however, that no vote shall be cast or corporate right exercised or other action
taken which, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable judgment, would impair the
Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any
provision of the Credit Agreement, the Revolving Notes, this Agreement or any
other Credit Document.

         7. Rights of the Secured Parties. (a) All money Proceeds received by
the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be held by the Administrative Agent for
the benefit of the Secured Parties and may, in the sole discretion of the
Administrative Agent, be deposited and held in one or more of the Accounts. All
Proceeds while held by the Administrative Agent (or by the Pledgor in trust for
the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties) shall continue to be
held as collateral security for all the Secured Obligations and shall not
constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 9(a).

         (b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the
Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise such rights to
the Pledgor, (1) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any
and all cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Stock and make application
thereof to the Secured Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent may
determine, and (2) all shares of the Pledged Stock shall be registered in the
name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or
its nominee may thereafter exercise (A) all voting, corporate and other rights
pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock at any meeting of shareholders of
the Borrower or otherwise and (B) any and all rights of


<PAGE>   6
                                                                               6


conversion, exchange, subscription and any other rights, privileges or options
pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock as if it were the absolute owner
thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion
any and all of the Pledged Stock upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate structure of the
Borrower, or upon the exercise by the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent of any
right, privilege or option pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock, and
in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the
Pledged Stock with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other
designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may
determine), all without liability except to account for property actually
received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to the Pledgor
to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for
any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

         8. Remedies. (a) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, at any time at the Administrative Agent's election, the
Administrative Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds in payment of the
Secured Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect.

         (b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may exercise, in
addition to all other rights and remedies granted in this Agreement and in any
other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured
Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Code. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without
demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or
notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or
upon the Pledgor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses,
advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances
forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any
part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, assign, give option or options to
purchase or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof
(or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or
private sale or sales, in the over-the-counter market, at any exchange, broker's
board or office of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party or
elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such
prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without
assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any other Secured
Party shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the
extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the
whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of
redemption in the Pledgor, which right or equity is hereby waived or released.
The Administrative Agent shall apply any Proceeds from time to time held by it
and the net proceeds of any such collection, recovery, receipt, appropriation,
realization or sale, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every
kind incurred in respect thereof or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any
of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the
Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder, including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements of counsel to the
Administrative Agent, to the payment in whole or in part of the Secured
Obligations, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, and only after
such


<PAGE>   7
                                                                               7


application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other
amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section
9-504(1)(c) of the Code, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus,
if any, to the Pledgor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Pledgor
waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative
Agent or any other Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any
rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of
Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and
proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition. The
Pledgor waives and agrees not to assert any rights or privileges which it may
acquire under Section 9-112 (a) through (e) of the Code.

         9. Registration Rights; Private Sales. (a) If the Administrative Agent
shall determine to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Pledged Stock
pursuant to Section 9 hereof, and if in the opinion of the Administrative Agent
it is necessary or advisable to have the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof
to be sold, registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, the Pledgor
will cause the Borrower to (1) execute and deliver, and cause the directors and
officers of the Borrower to execute and deliver, all such instruments and
documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be, in the
opinion of the Administrative Agent, necessary or advisable to register the
Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, under the provisions of the
Securities Act, (2) to use its best efforts to cause the registration statement
relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for a period of one
year from the date of the first public offering of the Pledged Stock, or that
portion thereof to be sold, and (3) to make all amendments thereto and/or to the
related prospectus which, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, are
necessary or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission applicable thereto. The Pledgor agrees to cause the Borrower to
comply with the provisions of the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of any and all
jurisdictions which the Administrative Agent shall designate and to make
available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement
(which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a)
of the Securities Act.

         (b) The Pledgor recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable
to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain
prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities
laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales
thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree,
among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for
investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. The
Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices
and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and,
notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be
deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Administrative
Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Stock
for the period of time necessary to permit the Borrower to register such
securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state
securities laws, even if the Borrower would agree to do so.

         (c) The Pledgor further agrees to use its best efforts to do or cause
to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of
all or any portion of the Pledged


<PAGE>   8
                                                                               8


Stock pursuant to this Section valid and binding and in compliance with any and
all other applicable Requirements of Law. The Pledgor further agrees that a
breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section will cause irreparable
injury to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, that the
Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at
law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every
covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically enforceable against the
Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses
against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a
defense that no Event of Default has occurred under the Credit Agreement.

         10. Irrevocable Authorization and Instruction to Borrower. The Pledgor
hereby authorizes and instructs the Borrower to comply with any instruction
received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (a) states that an
Event of Default has occurred and (b) is otherwise in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from the Pledgor,
and the Pledgor agrees that the Borrower shall be fully protected in so
complying.

         11. No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by the
Pledgor hereunder, or any setoff or application of funds of the Pledgor by any
Secured Party, or the receipt of any amounts by the Administrative Agent or any
other Secured Party with respect to any of the Collateral, the Pledgor shall not
be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or
any other Secured Party against the Borrower or against any other collateral
security held by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party for the
payment of the Obligations, nor shall the Pledgor seek any reimbursement from
the Borrower in respect of payments made by the Pledgor in connection with this
Agreement, or amounts realized by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured
Party in connection with the Collateral, until all amounts owing to the
Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on account of the Obligations
are paid in full and the Revolving Commitments are terminated. If any amount
shall be paid to the Pledgor on account of such subrogation rights at any time
when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, the Revolving
Commitments have not been terminated, such amount shall be held by the Pledgor
in trust for the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, segregated
from other funds of the Pledgor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by the
Pledgor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received
by the Pledgor (duly indorsed by the Pledgor to the Administrative Agent, if
required) to be applied in accordance with the Credit Documents.

         12. Amendments, etc. with respect to the Secured Obligations; Waiver of
Rights. (a) The Pledgor shall remain obligated hereunder, and the Collateral
shall remain subject to the security interests granted hereby, notwithstanding
that, without any reservation of rights against the Pledgor, and without notice
to or further assent by the Pledgor, any demand for payment of any of the
Secured Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may be
rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party, and any of the
Secured Obligations continued, and the Secured Obligations, or the liability of
the Borrower or any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral
security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with


<PAGE>   9
                                                                               9


respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed,
extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered, or
released by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party, and the Credit
Agreement, the Revolving Notes, the other Credit Documents and any other
documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended,
modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or part, as the Secured Parties
(or the Required Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to
time, and any guarantee, right of offset or other collateral security at any
time held by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party for the payment
of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released.
Neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Secured Party shall have any
obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any other Lien at any time held
by it as security for the Obligations or any property subject thereto. The
Pledgor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual
of any of the Secured Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the
Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party upon this Agreement; the Secured
Obligations, and any of them, shall be deemed conclusively to have been created,
contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Agreement; and all dealings between
the Borrower and the Pledgor, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and
the other Secured Parties, on the other, likewise shall be conclusively presumed
to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Agreement. The Pledgor
waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default
or nonpayment to or upon the Borrower or the Pledgor with respect to the Secured
Obligations. When pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against the
Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and any other Secured Party may, but shall be
under no obligation to, pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against
the Borrower or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee
for the Secured Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any
failure by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to pursue such
other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any
such other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee
or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower or any
such other Person or of any such collateral security, guarantee or right of
offset, shall not relieve the Pledgor of any liability hereunder, and shall not
impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available
as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party
against the Pledgor or the Collateral.

         (b) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum amount
which the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties are permitted to
realize hereunder shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by
the Pledgor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency
of debtors.

         13. Administrative Agent's Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact. (a) The
Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and
any officer or agent of the Administrative Agent, with full power of
substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable
power and authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and in the name of the
Pledgor or in the Administrative Agent's own name, from time to time in the
Administrative Agent's discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of
this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and
all documents and instruments which may be


<PAGE>   10
                                                                              10


necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, any financing statements, endorsements, assignments or other
instruments of transfer.

         (b) The Pledgor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully
do or cause to be done pursuant to the power of attorney granted in paragraph
13(a). All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are
coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated
and the security interests created hereby are released.

         14. Duty of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent's sole duty
with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the
Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the Code or otherwise,
shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals
with similar securities and property for its own account, except that (other
than as may be provided in the Security Deposit Agreement in the case of any
funds held in any Account) the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to
invest funds and may hold the same as demand deposits. Neither the
Administrative Agent, any other Secured Party nor any of their respective
directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand,
collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or
shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral
upon the request of the Pledgor or any other Person or to take any other action
whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.

         15. Execution of Financing Statements. Pursuant to Section 9-402 of the
Code, the Pledgor authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing
statements with respect to the Collateral without the signature of the Pledgor
in such form and in such filing offices as the Administrative Agent reasonably
determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Administrative
Agent under this Agreement. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this
Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement for filing in any
jurisdiction.

         16. Authority of Administrative Agent. The Pledgor acknowledges that
the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement
with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or
non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request,
judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising
out of this Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the other
Secured Parties, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other
agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but,
as between the Administrative Agent and the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent
shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties
with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and neither the
Pledgor nor the Borrower shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make
any inquiry respecting such authority.

         17. Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
Administrative Agent or the Pledgor to be effective shall be in writing (or by
telex, fax or similar electronic transfer confirmed in writing) and shall be
deemed to have been duly given or made (1) when delivered by hand or (2) if
given by mail, when deposited in the mails by certified mail, return receipt


<PAGE>   11
                                                                              11


requested, or (3) if by telex, fax or similar electronic transfer, when sent and
receipt has been confirmed, addressed as follows:

         (a) if to the Administrative Agent, at its address or transmission
number for notices provided in subsection 9.2 of the Credit Agreement; and

         (b) if to the Pledgor, at its address or transmission number for
notices set forth under its signature below.

The Administrative Agent and the Pledgor may change their addresses and
transmission numbers for notices by notice in the manner provided in this
Section.

         18. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

         19. Integration. This Agreement represents the agreement of the Pledgor
with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises or
representations by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party relative
to the subject matter hereof not reflected herein.

         20. Amendments in Writing; No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. (a) None of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified except by a written instrument executed and delivered by
the Pledgor and the Administrative Agent, provided that any provision of this
Agreement may be waived by the Administrative Agent and the other Secured
Parties in a letter or agreement executed and delivered by the Administrative
Agent or by telex or facsimile transmission from the Administrative Agent.

         (b) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Secured Party shall
by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to paragraph 20(a) hereof),
delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or
remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or in
any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof. No failure to exercise,
nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any
other Secured Party, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege
hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or
any other Secured Party of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion
shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative
Agent or such other Secured Party would otherwise have on any future occasion.

         (c) The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be
exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or
remedies provided by law.


<PAGE>   12
                                                                              12


         21. Section Headings. The section headings used in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof
or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

         22. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the Pledgor and shall inure to the benefit of the
Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and their successors and
assigns.

         23. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
and interpreted in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                  COGENTRIX DELAWARE HOLDINGS, INC.



                                  By  /s/ Thomas F. Schwartz
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                  Title  President
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                  Address:  9405 Arrowpoint Boulevard
                                            Charlotte, NC 28273-8110
                                            Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                            With copy to: General Counsel
                                            Fax: (704) 529-1006



<PAGE>   13

                                                                      SCHEDULE 1
                                                             TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT



                          DESCRIPTION OF PLEDGED STOCK


                                    Class of   Stock Certificate
           Issuer                    Stock            No.          No. of Shares
- -------------------------------     --------   -----------------   -------------

Cogentrix Eastern America, Inc.      Common            1               1,000


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                     FIRST (CLARIFICATION) AMENDMENT TO THE

                             COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.

                      SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN





                  THIS FIRST AMENDMENT is made by Cogentrix Energy, Inc.
(the "Company") and is effective on January 1, 1995.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


                  WHEREAS, the Company previously established and presently
maintains the Cogentrix Energy, Inc. Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan (the
"Plan") as originally effective January 1, 1995; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company has reserved the right to amend the Plan
from time to time in Section 16.1 of the Plan; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan in the form of
this First (Clarification) Amendment to conform the Plan document to the actual
practice that a participant may not make salary deferral contributions to the
Plan for a Plan year unless such participant has elected to make the maximum
salary deferral contribution permitted under the tax-qualified Retirement
Savings Plan for such Plan year.

                  NOW THEREFORE, Section 4.2 of the Plan is hereby amended to
add the following to the end thereof:

                  ; provided that a Participant shall not be permitted to make
any Elective Savings Contributions under this Plan for a Plan year unless he has
elected to make the maximum Elective Deferred Contribution permissible under the
Retirement Savings Plan for such Plan Year due to the limitations on such
contributions imposed by the terms of the Retirement Savings Plan and by Section
402(g) of the Code.

                  In order to maintain the terms of the Plan in a single
document, the clarification made by this First (Clarification) Amendment may be
incorporated into the most recent statement of the Plan.


<PAGE>   2

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this First
(Clarification) Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officers this
30th day of November, 1998.



ATTEST:                                   COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.



/s/ Elizabeth L. Rippetoe                 By: /s/ Dennis Alexander
- -------------------------                     ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Group Senior Vice President
                                                 -------------------------------



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3


                             SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE

                             COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.

                      SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN





                  THIS SECOND AMENDMENT is made by Cogentrix Energy, Inc.
(the "Company") and is effective as of December 1, 1999.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


                  WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Cogentrix Energy, Inc.
Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan") as originally effective
January 1, 1995; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company adopted the First Amendment to the Plan
on November 30, 1998 and effective as of November 30, 1995; and

                  WHEREAS, Section 16.1 of the Plan provides for amendment of
the Plan with the prior written approval and consent of the Company's Board of
Directors; and

                  WHEREAS, The Company desires to offer its employees more
flexibility in Plan distribution options in consideration of such employees'
continued acceptance of payment deferral; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan in the form of
this Second Amendment to offer additional options permitting Participants to
elect distribution of their Elective Savings Contributions, Company Matching
Contributions and earnings in equal annual installments over a period of three,
five or seven years; and;




<PAGE>   4

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan in the form of
this Second Amendment to enable Participants to change the form of distribution
for previously deferred amounts prior to the year in which such amounts first
become payable.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, and pursuant to Action of the Board of
Directors on October 18, 1999, the Plan is hereby amended effective as of
December 1, 1999 as follows:

                  1. Effective as of December 1, 1999, Section 10.1 is amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                  On an annual basis each Participant shall elect a method of
                  payment of the Elective Savings Contributions, Company
                  Matching Contributions, and the earnings thereon, as provided
                  in Section 10.2, attributable to the succeeding and/or any
                  prior calendar year(s) on the form attached as Exhibit B. Each
                  Participant shall have the option of electing payment in
                  either a lump sum or in substantially equal annual
                  installments of the Account balance over a period of 3, 5, 7,
                  or 10 years plus interest on the unpaid Account balance at a
                  rate determined by the Board of Directors in its sole
                  discretion.

                  Participant's election to change a method of payment of
                  Elective Savings Contributions, Company Matching
                  Contributions, or earnings thereon attributable to a prior
                  calendar year, will first become effective January 1 of the
                  second full calendar year following the calendar year in which
                  the election was made to change the method of payout.
                  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if a Participant
                  terminates employment prior to such an election change
                  becoming effective, such election change shall be ineffective
                  and distribution of his Account balance will be in accordance
                  with any currently effective payment election, or otherwise in
                  accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

                  2. Exhibit B, referred to in Section 4.1 of the Plan, is
hereby replaced in its entirety with the revised Exhibit B, "Cogentrix Energy,
Inc. Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan Contribution / Distribution Election
Form" attached to and made part of this Second Amendment.

                  In order to maintain the terms of the Plan in a single
document, the changes made by this Second Amendment may be incorporated into the
most recent statement of the Plan.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   5

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Second
Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officers on this 21st day of
October, 1999.



ATTEST:                                     COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.



/s/ Dennis W. Alexander                     By: /s/ Mark F. Miller
- ---------------------------                     --------------------------------
Corporate Secretary                         Title: President and COO
                                                   -----------------------------


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   6

                                   EXHIBIT B

                             COGENTRIX ENERGY, INC.

                      SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

                    CONTRIBUTION/DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM


PART I - UPCOMING YEAR DEFERRALS: I hereby elect to defer the following
percentage of my Pay:

         ______% of my Annual Based Salary without bonuses,

         ______% of my Profit Sharing Bonus, if any,

         ______% of my Performance Bonus, if any, and

         ______% of my Closing bonus, if any.

The percentage you indicate above is the aggregate of your contribution to this
Plan and the amount you deferred under the Retirement Savings Plan for the
year. Your contribution subject to this Plan will be net of amounts deferred to
the Retirement Savings Plan. On a calendar year basis, your contribution to the
Retirement Savings Plan plus all monies deferred into this Plan may not exceed
35% of Pay.

NOTE: No contribution will be made under this Plan if: (1) you have not elected
to defer the maximum amount possible to the Retirement Savings Plan under the
terms of that Plan, or, if less, the amount permissible under applicable law;
or (2) the amount of your deferral under the Retirement Savings Plan is less
than or equal to the total percentage of your compensation which you have
elected to defer, as indicated above.

I hereby elect the following pay-out for the Elective Savings Contribution,
Company Matching Contribution, and the earnings thereon for the upcoming year:

         --     lump sum distribution _______

         --     equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10 years
                (check one)

[NOTE:   Failure to designate a pay-out will result in a default lump sum
         distribution for amounts at issue.]
<PAGE>   7

PART II - PRIOR DEFERRALS (PAY-OUT REDESIGNATION):

The effective date of this pay-out redesignation for prior deferrals
("Effective Date") is January 1 of the second full calendar year following the
current calendar year, (e.g., if a Participant executes this Part II of the
Election Form on December 15, 1999, then any distribution pay-out election
changes made by virtue of Part II of this Election Form, with respect to
previous deferrals, will not become effective until January 1, 2001 and will
not be effective unless the Participant is employed by the Company as of
January 1, 2000). I hereby elect the following pay-out for:

         --  ____ all previous years' Contributions to the Plan.

                  _____ lump sum distribution, or

                  equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10
                  years (check one)

             OR

         --  ____ 1995 Contributions to the Plan

                  _____ lump sum distribution, or

                  equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10
                  years (check one)

         --  ____ 1996 Contributions to the Plan

                  _____ lump sum distribution, or

                  equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10
                  years (check one)

         --  ____ 1997 Contributions to the Plan

                  _____ lump sum distribution, or

                  equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10
                  years (check one)

         --  ____ 1998 Contributions to the Plan

                  _____ lump sum distribution, or

                  equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10
                  years (check one)

         --  ____ 1999 Contributions to the Plan

                  _____ lump sum distribution, or

                  equal annual installments over ___3, ___5, ___7, or ___10
                  years (check one)


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   8

A distribution pay-out with respect to any prior deferrals will only change if
and to the extent the items above are affirmatively marked. If items are left
blank, no distribution pay-out changes will be made to those items.


I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
ELECTION, AS DEFINED ABOVE, THEN THIS ELECTION WILL BE INEFFECTIVE AND I WILL
RECEIVE DISTRIBUTION OF MY INTEREST IN THE PLAN ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT
ELECTION FORM WHICH IS EFFECTIVE AS OF THE DATE OF MY TERMINATION OR AS
OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE PLAN DOCUMENT.

Note: This election form does not constitute a valid election with respect to
any election herein until such date as the election form is received by the
Plan Administrator.


Signed this ___ day of ________, ____

Employee Name _______________________________
                   (Please Print)

x____________________________________________
                     Signature

Social Security Number_______________________

Witness______________________________________
                   (Please Print)



                                      -3-

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          99,789
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,870
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     19,794
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               195,143
<PP&E>                                         704,047
<DEPRECIATION>                                 253,958
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,581,641
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          165,071
<BONDS>                                      1,140,458
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           130
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,560
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,581,641
<SALES>                                        252,551
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               354,548
<CGS>                                          213,173
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  213,173
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,875
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              71,465
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 59,035
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,208
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,827
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,827
<EPS-BASIC>                                     127.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   127.05


</TABLE>


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